PUBLISHED ON FRI, MAY 29, 2026
By Mary Panerio
Post Views: 8,668

Meet 2026 Poster Model Cayla

Some people are born into motorcycle culture. Others find their way into it and never look back. For 2026 Sturgis Buffalo Chip Poster Model Cayla Klapperich, it’s a little bit of both. Cayla’s authenticity, adventurous spirit and unmistakable love for music and motorcycle culture made her stand out among an impressive group of finalists in the 2026 Sturgis Buffalo Chip Poster Model Search. Along with her stunning good looks, these attributes helped her earn the title of 2026 Buffalo Chip Poster Model.

Thanks to presenting sponsors Twisted Tea, Mr. Liquor, Cassio’s Tattoo Gallery, Pepsi, Sailor Jerry, Sturgis Harley-Davidson and XROCK, Cayla walked away from the search with more than $18,000 in cash and prizes and has now become the face representing the Best Party Anywhere® for its 45th anniversary in 2026.

You’ll have plenty of chances to meet Cayla and grab a signed poster during the 2026 Sturgis Rally, but first, scroll down for an exclusive look at her photo shoot with photographer Pat Roscamp and hear more from Cayla in her own words.

 

Cayla poses with a helmet hand painted by William Cassio that she won from Buffalo Chip Poster Model Search presenting sponsor Cassio’s Tattoo Gallery

 

Cayla is a 24-year-old bartender and cocktail waitress originally from Rapid City, South Dakota who grew up hearing stories about the Sturgis Rally. Her parents attended concerts at the Legendary Buffalo Chip, and her older cousins talked about riding motorcycles through the mud and straight up to the stage. Those stories sparked her curiosity, but it wasn’t until she experienced the Buffalo Chip for herself that she truly understood what makes it special.

“The feeling, the people, the music, and the sense of freedom make it unlike anywhere else,” Cayla said.

 

Cayla rides a ‘98 Sporty, but she couldn’t wait to throw her leg over this ’95 XLH with 1200 CCs of soul-shaking power.

 

That appreciation for the Buffalo Chip and the friendships she’s built through the Poster Model Search has been years in the making. Cayla first entered the competition three years ago, describing herself as shy and uncertain. Each year helped her grow more confident, and along the way she found something she never expected.

“The girls and the friendships I’ve made over the years here is what truly makes this special,” she said. “I’ve made so many genuine friends and can truly say I hope to keep them for the rest of my life.”

 

Many of Cayla’s new friends got to share the spotlight with her during her photo shoot, including 1st runner-up Shelby Pletcher (left) and 2nd runner-up Vanessa Roscamp (right).­

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When she isn’t working, you’ll likely find Cayla hunting for vintage treasures from the 1960s and 1970s, tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants or exploring local dive bars with friends. She describes herself as an old soul, drawn to the style, music and energy of decades past. If time travel were possible, she’d gladly volunteer to be the first person to test it.

That love for nostalgia also influences her dream motorcycle adventure. Cayla’s fantasy ride follows the iconic Route 66 all the way to Arizona, where she imagines cruising past classic diners, neon signs and red desert landscapes while soaking in the history of one of America’s most legendary roads.

 

Sometimes it’s hard to choose which of the Chip’s late-night afterparties you wanna check out—burnouts at Bikini Bottom, music on the Beach Stage or DJ Hulio droppin’ beats at Club Chip. Here’s a fantasy where you can have all three at the same time.

 

Music plays a major role in Cayla’s life as well. While her recent playlists have been dominated by Limp Bizkit and what she affectionately calls “divorced dad rock,” her musical hero is Stevie Nicks.

“If I were a rockstar for a day, I’d choose to be Stevie Nicks in the ’70s or ’80s,” Cayla said. “Her music has always been timeless and so meaningful to me. She’s just such a rad chick.”

Her music knowledge runs deep. Cayla claims she can identify most songs within the first few notes, regardless of genre. That passion helped make one of her favorite Buffalo Chip memories possible when she attended a Stone Temple Pilots concert in VIP and got the opportunity to meet the band.

“It was one of the best days of my life,” she said. “I even caught a guitar pick.”

 

Cayla rides along with stunt rider Brandon Woodhead for the very first burnout at the brand-new Buffalo Chip Bikini Bottom burnout and stunt area.

 

Cayla’s adventurous spirit has already taken her far beyond the Black Hills. At 19, she packed everything she owned into a small car, left South Dakota and moved to Arizona without a job lined up and with only one friend waiting there. The leap paid off. She quickly found work, built lifelong friendships and gained the confidence that continues to shape her today.

Her long-term dream isn’t fame or luxury. If she won the lottery tomorrow, she’d purchase a few acres of land, build a cabin near a creek, start a garden and create a small self-sustaining farm. Family, simplicity and meaningful connections matter far more to her than flashy possessions.

Those values come directly from the person she credits as the biggest influence in her life: her mother, Desiree.

“She is the most kind, loving and genuine woman I’ve ever met,” Cayla said. “She treats everyone with kindness no matter who they are.”

 

Four years of Buffalo Chip Poster Models raise a toast to Twisted Tea and Sailor Jerry for presenting the search. From L to R: Vanessa (2024), Denaye (2025), Em (2023) and Cayla (2026).

 

That same philosophy guides how Cayla approaches the world. The best advice she’s ever received is simple: be kind to everyone because you never know what someone may be going through. It’s also what she loves most about the motorcycle community.

“No matter who you are or where you come from, you’ll always be accepted,” she said.

 

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Cayla reaches for the pull start on “The Unsung Zero,” a minibike that annually blasts through the Monster Wall on Daredevil Wednesday in the Buffalo Chip amphitheater.

 

As the 2026 Buffalo Chip Poster Model, Cayla hopes to share the experience that has become such an important part of her life. For her, the title represents much more than appearing on a poster.

“It’s about sharing that experience,” she said. “Wanting to bring people and friends here and show them what it’s loved for. The feeling you can’t explain unless you’ve felt it. The connections and friendships you build, and the memories that hang on with you for life.”

With her love of music, adventure, vintage treasures and the motorcycle community, Cayla embodies the spirit that keeps people coming back to the Buffalo Chip year after year. And now, she’ll help represent that spirit for riders and music fans around the world.

 

Want to experience the party and catch all the shows with Cayla?


Reserve your passes now so you can meet Cayla and have her sign your poster while you experience nine days of motorcycles, music, freedom and friendship at the number one Sturgis Rally destination!

With her free pass to the party in hand, you can count on seeing her at tons of events throughout the Black Hills this summer, including the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling®!

 

Cayla’s Appearance Schedule:

(More dates coming soon!)

 

Want Cayla to make an appearance for you this summer? Drop the Chip a line and tell them more about your event!

 

Get to know previous Poster Model Search winners!

Too Hot To Handle: 7 Smokin
MEOW! Ten Fierce Photos Of Poster Model Lainie

Special thanks to all the sponsors, staff, creatives, contestants and bars that helped make this year’s Poster Model Search such a success!

Presented by the Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Known as The Best Party Anywhere®, the Legendary Buffalo Chip believes festivals should be fun like a high five, re-energize you like a broken rule, and romance you like someone you just met and want to kiss.

This nine-day festival of concerts and motorcycle events promises to bring you exciting live performances from artists like Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Five Finger Death Punch, Kid Rock, Rob Zombie, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mötley Crüe, Miranda Lambert, Snoop Dogg, ZZ Top and many more.

The Best Party Anywhere remains one of the most televised festivals in the world and has been featured on the Travel Channel, the Discovery Channel, CMT Bike Week, HISTORY, TLC, National Geographic and more.

Learn more at www.BuffaloChip.com.

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