STURGIS, S.D. – By now every Blue Oval fan in the know has heard of the annual Sturgis Mustang Rally. Unlike the town’s famed biker rally each summer, the Sturgis Mustang Rally (SMR) takes place the week leading into Labor Day every year. For 2021, the big SMR extravaganza kicked off with a Monday Meet & Greet, a Tuesday registration and mingle day, then driving school sessions (with Ford Performance Racing School instructors), a Mustang Rodeo and an evening drive-in movie on Wednesday. Thursday featured a Cars & Coffee, a Mustang Fun Run Cruise, plus Mustang Ride-A-Longs with our friends at Gateway Classic Mustangs, before a launch-box and burnout competition was capped off by another drive-in movie night.

While many attendees say the drive across the Badlands and the Black Hills of South Dakota is as much an attraction as attending the Sturgis Mustang Rally itself, we can vouch that things really start heating up in Sturgis for that weekend. Friday brought a Poker Run Cruise, an Autocross competition, some drifting and barrel racing and even some live entertainment that evening. But it was on Saturday when hundreds of Mustangers from all across the country gathered at the huge Show and Shine in Downtown Sturgis, before a Mustang auction, a live concert and a parade closed the show -- with an evening of drag racing available at nearby Sturgis Dragway. It all got wrapped up on Sunday, September 5, 2021, with a big Autocross and some Poker Runs out at the Thunderdome, followed by a banquet dinner, auction and the awards ceremony.

Ford Performance was on hand for the Saturday festivities this year and was able to walk the show field and snap photos of some of the notable Mustangs we spotted on display. We showcase some of our favorite rides in the photo gallery below. If seeing these shots has you looking for this kind of picturesque Mustang road trip leading into Labor Day weekend next year, get all SMR details at www.sturgismustangrally.com.

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY ERIC PASTEINER