Monkey Rock seeking more parking for rally week concerts

STURGIS, S.D. - For those who wondered how Monkey Rock would properly park an estimated 40,000 people for rock concerts during the rally - it appears concert promoters may be trying to figure that predicament out as well.

The Rock N' Rev concert series announced it would be leaving Glencoe Camp Resort in mid-July because of a contract dispute, and instead would set up at the neighboring Monkey Rock property. Concert promoters had previously stated they could attract up to 40,000 people for the shows -- and that is setting up a potential traffic nightmare east of Sturgis.

With a lack of parking a certain problem, it appears Monkey Rock will be going before the Meade School District this week to ask for permission to park people on school property.

The school board sent KBHB an email that states the board will discuss and possibly act on a proposal from the Monkey Rock group. Apparently, the group wants to rent the high school parking lot plus the field between the two properties for parking. The special meeting has been set for 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Monkey Rock has stated they plan to build an amphitheater in hopes of keeping concerts there in the future. But this year, the Monkey Rock parking lot is going to have to suffice as concert space. That leaves a shortage of parking.

Either way, the concerts at Monkey Rock could pose a traffic problem with concerts taking place across the highway at Full Throttle and at Buffalo Chip, less than a mile away.