STURGIS, S.D. (AP) - A fundraising proposal by Sturgis officials calls for the city to sell souvenir cups to visitors during the city’s annual motorcycle rally, which they could then fill with beer or wine and walk the streets of downtown with drinks in hand.
If approved by the city council, the proposed open container permit would last for a nine-day period during the rally and would be allowed between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. The initiative is labeled as a “case study” to see the positive and negative impacts of open containers on the downtown streets.
Proceeds from the selling of the event cups would be retained by the city and then given back as donations to various organizations through Sturgis Rally Charities and to fund an endowment for future donations, the Rapid City Journal reported. Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen said the money would have a major impact on the future of the rally.
“I do understand that people will be drinking on the streets, but in my opinion as you look down the street, they’re drinking six inches on the other side of a wall (in bars and restaurants),” he said. “It would create more of an environment of staying downtown, pacing yourself and enjoying the people watching.”
The proposal would allow the Sturgis Police Department, other law enforcement or safety personnel to rescind the open container policy, shut down the sales of the souvenir cups and post signs up that open containers are no longer allowed.
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