Who: You!
What: Poster Model Search
When: Weekly
Where: Regional Bars
Why: Win $18,000+ in cash and prizes, including passes to Buffalo Chip concerts, a professional model shoot and much more!
Be the face of the Best Party Anywhere!
If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a model, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s annual Poster Model Search presented by Twisted Tea, Bella Tan, Cassio’s Tattoo Gallery, Deadwood Tobacco Company, Lloyd’z Garage, Pepsi, Silverado Franklin, and Sturgis Harley-Davidson is the perfect opportunity to show the world that you have what it takes to score the Rally’s most coveted modeling job!
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that could be yours!
2026 Poster Model Search Stops
More dates coming soon! Some dates and locations may change. Check back each week for up-to-date information.
Preliminaries
Saturday, February 14 – Robbinsdale Lounge – Rapid City, SD –– Kickoff Party – Cupids & Cowgirls Theme
Friday, February 20 – Aby’s – Rapid City, SD – Super Hero Theme
Saturday, February 21 – Grinner’s – Gillette, WY – Leather & Lace Theme
Saturday, February 28 – J Bar – Rapid City, SD – Denim & Diamonds Theme
Friday, March 6 – Sally O’Malley’s Pub – Rapid City, SD – Pin Up Girls Theme
Saturday, March 7 – Social House – Rapid City, SD – Fight Night Theme
Thursday, March 12 – The Park – Rapid City, SD – Secret Agent Theme
Saturday, March 21 – 445 Lounge – Rapid, SD – Moulin Rouge Theme
Thursday, March 26 – Joe’s Place – Rapid City, SD – Country Girls Theme
Friday, March 27 – Gold Pan Saloon – Custer, SD – Wild West Theme
Saturday, March 28 – Valley Sports Bar – Rapid City, SD – Angels & Demons Theme
Saturday, April 4 – Gas Monkey Sturgis – Stars & Stripes Theme
Friday, April 10 – Deadwood Tobacco Company – Deadwood, SD – Biker Theme
Saturday, April 11 – Moose Lodge – Rapid City, SD – Disney Theme
Friday, April 17 – Cowboy Back Bar – Belle Fourche, SD – Disco Theme
Saturday, April 18 – Murphy’s Pub – Rapid City, SD – Nerds Theme
Semi-Finals
Saturday, April 25 – 707 Nightlife at The Park – Rapid City, SD
Finals
Saturday, May 2 – Robbinsdale Lounge – Rapid City, SD
Winning the search will put you in the spotlight at The Best Party Anywhere and get you featured in the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s national marketing campaigns including:
- Print and digital advertisements
- Videos
- Magazine spreads
- Posters
In addition, you’ll reign as the 2026 Poster Model at the Buffalo Chip, meeting new people at fun events, signing posters as a rally celebrity and strutting your stuff at the industry’s hottest events.
Prizes include $18,000+ cash, passes to concerts, a professional model shoot and more!
This annual search takes place at bars across the Black Hills, and since Twisted Tea presents the search, you know each stop will be a good time, whether you enter as a contestant or just come to watch!
How to Enter and Win the Poster Model Search in 7 Easy Steps!
- Attend one or more of the preliminary Poster Model Search stops listed below.
Each establishment will have its own theme. We encourage you to dress to the theme, but it’s not a requirement. - Answer a few simple questions.
Don’t worry! There usually isn’t a right or wrong answer. The judges are simply assessing the way you handle yourself on the microphone and in front of people. - Fill out a questionnaire on your own time using the online form provided when you qualify.
- Take a photo of yourself (or have a friend take one of you) in a Twisted Tea or Pepsi shirt (we provide the shirt) with a Twisted Tea or Pepsi IN YOUR HAND.
A little note about your photos:- Feel free to modify your shirt creatively.
- Must be portrait oriented (aka up & down).
- No nudity.
- Must be clothed. Swimsuits are okay, but no underwear photos.
- You may submit up to two different photos. We will post one.
- Get ideas on how to pose by checking out last year’s submissions.
- Submit the photo using the form you’re provided when you qualify.
- Wait for your photo to show up on the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Facebook page, then share it with all of your friends.
The total number of likes you have by the Semi-Finals will be considered by our panel of judges. Your social network could help you become the next Sturgis Buffalo Chip Poster Model. (Pictures will be posted at the Buffalo Chip’s sole discretion.) - Video Submission
- Create a vertical video that shows off your personality in a fun and interesting way.
- Creatively incorporate Twisted Tea and the Buffalo chip in your video.
- Submit the video using the form you’re provided when you qualify.
- Wait for your video to show up on the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Facebook page, then share it with all of your friends.
- Compete in the Semi-Finals.
If you make it to semi-finals, you’ll compete in three categories:
Round 1: Theme from the bar where you qualified
Round 2: Americana
Round 3: Bikinis
5 Important Hints for Poster Model Search Contestants
- If you don’t win the first time you compete, try again.
Several competitors have become eventual winners by competing in multiple contests. - This is NOT a “skin-to-win” competition.
We want our representative to be sexy, not sleazy. Models who show too much do not win. - Don’t be THAT girl.
We want girls who know how to have a good time and can encourage others to do the same. By this standard, intoxicated contestants aren’t considered good representatives. It’s no problem if you have a couple Twisted Teas to take the edge off your stage fright. It is a problem if you have six. - Bring your A-game.
The judges will be watching your demeanor onstage and off. How you interact with others will affect your chances of winning. - Don’t delay.
If you qualify for semi-finals, get those photos in ASAP. The quicker we get them, the quicker they can go up, and the more time you have to gather likes and shares.
Prizes
Grand Prize
- $8,300 Cash
- 2 Premium 14-Day Passes to the 2026 Sturgis Buffalo Chip festival – Aug. 3-16, 2026
(Includes access to all concerts, premium concert viewing area and non-ticketed events.) - Reserved RV rental & RV site
- Stage West Meal Pass
- Golf Cart Rental
- Modeling contract for the Best Party Anywhere
- Full-day professional photoshoot
- 10 high-resolution photo downloads from the photoshoot
- Appearance fees for autograph sessions prior to the Sturgis Rally
- Opportunity to earn thousands of dollars from hourly wage and tips for daily appearances at the Buffalo Chip during the Sturgis Rally
- Opportunity to make appearances and participate in Sturgis Buffalo Chip events including the Legends Ride®, Biker Belles®, Rusty Wallace Ride, and Daredevil Wednesday
- $250 Sturgis Buffalo Chip Merchandise Package
- $500 towards a tattoo from Cassio’s Tattoo Gallery
- Cassio’s Tattoo Gallery Swag Bag
- $500 Cassio’s Tattoo Gallery Industry Gift
(Redeemable for Rider’s Safety Course, riding apparel, safety gear, tires–whatever the winner may need to be on a motorcycle) - $350 in services from The Glam House (Redeemable for services such as lash extensions, lash lifts and tints, brow waxes and tints.)
- $350 Black Hills Vinyl gift certificate
- $350 Sturgis Brewing Company gift certificate
- $350 Sturgis Coffee Company gift certificate
- Free spray tan from Sunny & Sheer Sunless Tanning
2nd & 3rd Place
- Mini photo shoot with professional photographer for Sturgis Buffalo Chip advertisements
- $250 Sturgis Buffalo Chip Merchandise Package
- Cassio’s Tattoo Gallery Swag Bag
All Participating Semi-Finalists
- 2 Premium 14-Day Passes to the 2026 Sturgis Buffalo Chip festival (Aug. 3-16, 2026)
(Passes grant winners free access to all Buffalo Chip concerts and all non-ticketed events.)
All Contestants
- 1-day pass to the Buffalo Chip on the date of your choice.
(Passes grant winners free access to that evening’s Buffalo Chip concerts.)
