CHIP N' IN Tattoo Contest
Sun, Aug 03
|Big Engine Bar @ Sturgis Buffalo Chip®
PRE-SALE ENTRY TICKETS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE HERE. Go to the RAVENS NEST PRODUCTIONS tent at The Crossroads to purchase contestant entry tickets from now until the event begins on Aug. 3rd. See you there!
Time & Location
Aug 03, 2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Big Engine Bar @ Sturgis Buffalo Chip®, 20622 Fort Meade Way, Sturgis, SD 57785
About the event
RAVENS NEST PRODUCTIONS & THE STURGIS BUFFALO CHIP®
present
CHIP N' IN TATTOO CONTEST
Hosted by Riki Rachtman
With guest judges and industry icons:
Durb Morrison, Mario Barth, Zach “Fireball” Gibson, Sebastien Derbomez, & Shayna Guy.
Get ready to ink your legacy at one of the summer’s most anticipated tattoo events! Ravens Nest Productions and the Sturgis Buffalo Chip present the CHIP N’ IN Tattoo Contest, happening Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM during the 85th Anniversary of the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The contest takes place inside The Big Engine Bar at The Crossroads at The Buffalo Chip. Participants can purchase entry tickets with a $15 entry fee per category. Enter as many categories as you like!
Whether you’re sleeved or starting fresh, CHIP N’ IN is your moment to stand out — at one of the most legendary intersections of biker and tattoo culture.
PRIZES & SPONSORS
Winners will take home hundreds of dollars in prizes and limited-edition merchandise from top sponsors like Inkeeze, Sullen Art Collective, McKinna Coin Jewelry, Coffin Case, and Dead City Coffee, with more to be announced!
Contest Categories Include:
Best Biker or Harley Tattoo | Best Patriotic/Military Tattoo | Best Sleeve (Arm/Leg) Tattoo | Best Small Color Tattoo | Best Large Color Tattoo | Best Small Black & Grey Tattoo | Best Large Black & Grey Tattoo | Best Tattoo On A Female | Worst/Most Regretful Tattoo | Best In Show Tattoo
Tickets
Best Biker or Harley Tattoo
Anything biker-themed is fair game—whether it's your favorite moto brand logo or a full-blown tribute to life on two wheels. If it’s got an engine and attitude, throw it in the ring and ride off with some prizes!
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale endedBest Patriotic/Military Tattoo
This category is all about pride and patriotism. Whether your tattoo honors the armed forces, your country’s flag, or simply the place you call home, it’s your chance to share what means the most to you. No matter where you're from, if your ink tells a story of love for your country, we’d be honored to see it.
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale endedBest Sleeve (Arm/Leg) Tattoo
An entire arm or leg transformed into a powerful canvas—each inch commanding attention with bold colors or striking shadows. This category honors those fearless masterpieces that tell a story in every line and curve, wrapping you in art that demands to be seen and remembered.
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale endedBest Small Color Tattoo
Small color tattoos range from as tiny as 1”x1” up to roughly the size of your palm—about 5”x6”. In this category, anything goes, no matter the design or subject. From vibrant pops of color to detailed miniature art, these tattoos prove that great things really do come in small packages.
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale endedBest Large Color Tattoo
Large color tattoos—those expansive masterpieces measuring at least the size of your hand and often much more. They transform skin into a vivid tapestry of bold hues and intricate details, commanding attention and telling stories that can’t be ignored.
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale endedBest Small Black & Grey Tattoo
Small black and grey tattoos range from as little as 1”x1” up to about the size of your palm—around 5”x6”. Whether delicate shading or bold linework, this category welcomes all monochrome masterpieces in any design.
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale endedBest Large Black & Grey Tattoo
Large black and grey tattoos are designs about the size of your hand or bigger. With clean lines and smooth shading, these pieces deliver bold, striking imagery in classic monochrome.
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale endedBest Tattoo On A Female
*LADIES ONLY* Sometimes the fellas steal the spotlight, so we’re handing the mic to the ladies. This category is all about celebrating your unique ink—bold, beautiful, and completely you. Whether it’s meaningful, artistic, or just plain fun, anything goes. It’s your moment to shine.
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale endedWorst/Most Regretful Tattoo
Got a tattoo that makes you question past life choices? Perfect—you’re a top contender. Whether it's a faded disaster, a cringe design, or inked in a spot your mom warned you about, this is your time to shine. Tramp stamps? Front of the line, baby.
$15.00
+$0.38 ticket service fee
Sale ended