Full Throttle Saloon has captured the hearts of many over the past couple decades and has known as the World’s Biggest Biker Bar. Proprietor Michael Ballard created the saloon in Sturgis and would host thousands upon thousands of bikers who traveled to Sturgis, SD and became known for the show Full Throttle Saloon. Michael Ballard offers the following statement:
“Over the last two decades, The Full Throttle Saloon has been the epicenter of my life. Walking the grounds following this tragedy is simply devastating. We created a destination that resonated with working class America, and became over time a landmark for this great town which is Sturgis. Over the last several years, I’ve taken the success of the Full Throttle and made a significant investment in rebuilding my hometown of Trimble, Tennessee (where the Full Throttle S’loonshine distillery is based). Because of that large financial investment I am not in a position to just start rebuilding today. Right now I have to process what has happened and then figure out the future. As our plans come together, they will be shared but as for today Angie and I are devastated. To everyone who made the Full Throttle become the special destination we all came to love, simply thank you. The support from the local community and those across the globe has been humbling.”
Ballard’s best friend, and business partner Jesse James Dupree shares,
“Michael created not just a bar but a destination point. People come to see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, The Badlands, and the Full Throttle Saloon when visiting South Dakota. I hope everyone can stop for a moment, and appreciate not only the investment but also the heart and soul that Michael put into the Full Throttle Saloon. My brothers in Jackyl and I along with the hundreds of thousands of others that we call our Full Throttle family are starting the movement TODAY to bring the Throttle Back!”
Michael Ballard also expresses significant gratitude to the fire departments from Piedmont, Vale, Whitewood, Sturgis and Fort Meade who collaborated to gain control of the blaze that engulfed the entire facility. Additionally, The ATF and the state fire marshall. The Destination America channel will broadcast the upcoming season of the Full Throttle Saloon television show the last week of November.
Ballard was honored this past July in being cited as one of the seven most influential players in the Stugis Rally’s history. He shared inclusion on the pantheon of motorcycle enthusiasts alongside J.C. “Pappy” Hoel and the Jackpine Gypsies, Pearl Hoel, the American Motorcyclist Association, Bill Gikling and Harley-Davidson, Michael Lichter and Easyriders Magazine, and Rod “Woody” Woodruff and the Buffalo Chip Campground.
We are so saddened by the loss of the famed saloon but know that the Full Throttle family will forge ahead and we look forward to what the future brings.
~ Marisol
Photos of the Fire via the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department:
Yea it’s sad. But full throttle come back has a sweet tune to it. Thx. JJD. Sorry for your loss.
SO SO SORRY FOR THIS GREAT LOSE. REBUILD TO SEE HOW MUCH BIGGER IT COULD BE. WE LOVE YOU GUYS PRAYERS TO ALL
IM SO SO SORRY EVERYONE ILL PRAY IN THE FUTURE THAT YOU ALL WILL REBUILD GOD BLESS IM SO SORRY
FTS Rocks— Please Michael & Angie take all the time you need. You will never lose your friends!! ❤️
So Well said. My heart breaks for everyone.
Such a loss ,butt you shall rise bigger and better with the help of your brother and sisters, much love keep the faithe
Michael and Angie truly sorry for the loss of the saloon, my husband and I are extreme fans of the show.. we would love too help u rebuild the saloon.
Prayers my heart goes out to the full throttle family during this tragic time.
Good luck Jessie and angie
God bless. We love you and always will ❤
Michael and Angie, We folk here in Tennessee appreciate what Full Throttle has brought to the thousands who attended your place. You have our support and prayers. God Bless…. Dan from Paris Tennessee..
TO THE FULL THROTTLE FAMILY MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOST WE HOPE YOU REBUILD BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE STURGIS WITHOUT YOUR PLACE TAKE CARE GOD BLESS HOSS AND DEBBIE PETERSON
in their tv show they were always struggling with bills and money, hmmm this entire thing smells fishy, sorry its my opinion. Like he said today all of what he has is wrapped up in his moonshine. Sounds like he over extended himself. I am sure there will be a huge investigation.
Well…been there and done it myself…with both my home and business….Heard all the “arson speculation” trash too…and let me tell y’all…in MANY ways THAT was more hurtful than the actual losses! Might be nice if some folks actually THOUGHT before they spoke so flippantly. I truly hope they DO REBUILD and this just becomes another milestone in their history…as it has for me and mine….or….they can just give up and give in and curl up in a little ball and let fools talk….I don’t think these folks are that type but, I’m not always right.…
some folks think TVland is real….
It was a show. In actuality FTS was one of the top earning bars in the US. Even successful people worry about money.
Michael and Angie bless your hearts thank god nobody was hurt and everybody is safe material things are meant to be replaced don’t look at it as a loss but a blessing of a better tommorow love ya take care
My heart breaks. For the FTS family, an friends everyone who made it what it was. I can’t imagine how the Ballards or Jesse are feeling. So much of their hearts n lifes n family was involved. Hope u rebuilt. I love coming their evety year on my bday. Aug 7th.
You guys have to come back your all to close and such a awsome family that you guys need to bring your friends and your happiness together again dont give up rebuild better and stronger fts is a landmark of fun partying and the flunt girls lol good luck
So sad. Sorry for your loss. Can back better then ever. God bless you all..
I’m sorry for your loss
It saddens me for your loss. I am deeply sorry. For all those people posting negatives comments remember there is such a thing as Karma.
God Bless, Hope all is okay with them.
hey Michael rebuild it AND THEY WILL COME our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family from all your friends here in Tennessee.
Things can be replaced, people can not. For those who might consider it, a crowd-sourced/crowd-funded kickstart would not be a bad idea if Mr Ballard is strapped…..
This is awful! I loved the show and Micheal, Angie, Jessie and all the gang. Very Heartbreaking! I wish I had the means to travel and the money to help, I would be right there to build a bigger and better saloon.
We all understand it is a devastating loss. But we are all here to help in anyway we can. We are so sorry for your loss of this mighty place. And yes I understand sorry don’t rebuild it. Prayers, and sometime to get a grip on it all will help. Also the baby that is part of this all. You guys need time to be the great parents we all know your going to be.
So sorry, love, and prayers.
So sorry micheal and angie also jessie prayers to you all
loved going to this place for many years, with over a million people visiting this last summer for the 75th anniversary why don’t someone set up a fund and if everyone contributed just a couple dollars we could help Michael rebuild this for next year 2016 lets all get on the same page and see what we all can do as friends and customers of Michael
wow and wow is all i can say been going there sence the 70s never thought that would happen my only place i liked to hang out i was lost for words when i got messages on it the next morning
i have never been there but loved to watch the show and the 1 comment someone made about this beeing fishy is so stupid there is always 1 asshole in the crowd keep your spirits up and i know you guys will rebuild but dont that that asshole in that bad mouthed you he needs a behind the barn >>>whooping
I smell insurance fraud. Somebody didn’t profit enough from the 75th anniversary to be in the black. Just an assumption..
Was wondering, nothing has been said as to the cause of the fire. Is the investigation begun ?
Was Johnny Dare playing with his flame thrower again?
Sad to see such an iconic place go down in flames. Am sure you folks will figure out what you’ll do to recover from such a devastating loss. “Hold on tight to your dreams” as ELO would say.
You know everyone of us that has traveled to Sturgis have Seen or been to the Full Throttle.I think all of the bikes and riders That would like to see it rebuild could donate something to help rebuild this great place. Send out on face book or whatever site where we can make a donation and I will add to the till.There is never enough insurance to cover a loss this big. Come on People, what do you say?
To the tune of “American Pie” Went to the throttle for a bottle but the bar was all gone.
So sorry to hear about your guys loss damn fires are destroying everything loved the show and you guys my prayers are with you best of luck in the near future I’m sure the next bar will be bad ass and hope to ride up and see it take care
good l.uck rebuild and claim your throne again