For nearly 12 years the Winter Blues festival in Sturgis has been a hot event for the city and this year is no exception. Several hundred people are expected to flock to the downtown area on Friday, January 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. for winter-themed festivities, live music, and food trucks.
Organized by Ryan Conrod of the Sturgis Downtown Development Authority, the event promises a lively January night on the town, and a chance to support several local businesses.
While the downtown area already has several eateries worth checking out during Winter Blues, food trucks will also be stationed and ready to serve up hot dishes throughout the night. Taco Guerrerenses will be there, and they specialize in authentic Mexican food like street tacos, birria, tamales, and street corn. Papa Joe’s is the second participating truck, and will be offering up fare such as smashburgers, philly cheesesteaks, and fish baskets.
A trolley will be available Friday night ($1 per person) for event-goers to ride in a loop through the downtown area. The trolley ride promises to be a festive way to see not only the city lights and outside events throughout the evening, but also the ice sculptures on display carved by Miller Ice Sculptures located in Lansing.
Several of the businesses downtown will be participating in the event in unique ways. Wings Etc. will be featuring live music by Philet of Phin from 7 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., and serving themed cocktails for the event like spiked hot chocolates and White Russians. Open Door Gallery, meanwhile, will be hosting the Irish folk band Si Bheag Si Mhor. In addition to the live music, the nonprofit art gallery will also be holding a drawing where the winner will be awarded a piece of art donated by a local artist. Other live music throughout the night will be found inside Lowry’s Books and Olive Fresh.
The Sturgis DDA welcomes everyone to come and celebrate the beauty of this season and their downtown area, and plans to showcase more events monthly. Whether you grab a cozy cocktail and huddle inside for warmth and tunes, or choose to bundle up to enjoy food trucks and ice-carvings, Winter Blues has something for everyone this January.
Beca Welty is a staff writer and columnist for Watershed Voice.
