Sturgis Motorcycle Rally gears up: THOUSANDS of bikers ready to descend on a small South Dakota town β as police brace for arrests
Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists will descend on South Dakota for the 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – as police brace for arrests.
The 83rd annual event, taking place this year from August 4-13, is the largest motorcycle rally in the world.
It typically draws about 700,000 riders each year to the town of Sturgis, which has a population of just 7,000.
South Dakota police, meanwhile, are preparing for trouble β hundreds of motorcyclists are caught driving under the influence every year.
Authorities in Colorado, where motorcyclists pass through, have designated increased enforcement to keep drunk drivers off the road and keep people safe.
Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists will descend on South Dakota to attend the 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally starting Friday
The 83rd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, taking place August 4-13 this year, is the largest motorcycle rally in the world
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the premier event on the motorcycle calendar and riders look forward to going every year
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the premier event on the motorcycle calendar and riders look forward to going every year.
Motorcycles are seen stretching for blocks as the crowd descends on Main Street, the heart of the rally.
It is known as a place where people loosen up, stroll the streets in minimal clothing and body painting, and host live music, bike stunts, and races.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has been an annual event since 1938 and has attracted some 700,000 people in recent years.
The South Dakota Department of Tourism has estimated that the rally will generate about $800 million in revenue for the state.
Entrepreneurs in Sturgis look forward to the economic boost the riders will bring.
Michael Dean Coronato, the executive chef of the Ponderosa CafΓ©, told Cowboy State Daily that he has been preparing for this event for two weeks.
Hundreds of motorcyclists have already arrived for the 83rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally which kicked off on Friday
Riders imagined themselves heading into the world-famous event
Motorcycles are seen stretching for blocks as crowds descend on Main Street, the heart of the 2021 rally
It is known as a place where people loosen up, stroll the streets in minimal clothing and body painting, and host live music, bike stunts, and races
He stocked up on stationery and is tweaking his menu to appeal to bikers looking for healthier foods, such as Caesar salads with grilled chicken and peeled shrimp.
“People really thought I was crazy,” he said. “But I look at these guys, and some of them have diabetes, you know, and they want to eat healthier.”
He added that he serves up to 900 people a day during the rally.
‘On a normal day)? If we did 60 lunches that would be great. I would be happy,” said Coronato.
‘It’s a big impact. We do not raise our prices. We embrace it, instead of trying to screw it over, and that’s why we survive.
‘That’s why they come here. You know there are hotels that triple the price and people that raise beer prices.
‘We do not. I’m actually lowering my food prices, because it’s not the same food I (usually) do.β
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has been an annual event since 1938 and has attracted approximately 700,000 people in recent years
The South Dakota Department of Tourism has estimated that the rally will generate about $800 million in revenue for the state
Entrepreneurs in Sturgis look forward to the economic boost that the riders will bring
Photos from past festivals show attendees standing close together as they watch a parade of souped-up motorcycles hurtle through the downtown area
Red Rock Cafe owner Sharon Penning estimated she will more than double her normal business at the cafe and serve at least 500 people a day.
She’s relying on the increased sales to get through the winter, saying, “It’s really bringing in a lot of revenue for the city.
βEveryone gets their fair share of it. The market, the gas station, the hardware store, the restaurants, the motels.
‘And I really love that. It really helps. We really need to make money in the summer. After the hunting season, it is tough here in the winter. It won’t pick up again until May.’
The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced a DUI enforcement period from August 3 to August 15 with increased security patrols.
This is due to the number of riders who passed through Colorado to the event and were arrested for drunk driving.
In the same period last year, a total of 308 people were arrested for driving under the influence.
Colonel Matthew Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said, βIf you plan on drinking, you should also plan a sober ride.
A stunt rider with the Unknown Industries Stunt Show performs at the Harley-Davidson Exhibit
Riders have been going to the 10-day event in the small town of Sturgis since 1938
Events at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally continue into the night
βWe want Coloradans to enjoy summer activities, but also remember to never drive badly. Rally participants have a long drive ahead of them and everyone must always be aware of their surroundings along the way.’
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic was labeled a “superspreader event” by a team of researchers at the Centers for Disease Control.
“The Sturgis rally had many hallmarks of a superspreading event: large crowds, high intensity of contact between people, potential for highly contagious individuals traveling from hotspots, and events in poorly ventilated indoor environments,” a report concluded.
Most people in the crowd also chose to forego face coverings – ignoring the recommendations put forward.
The IZA Institute of Labor Economics said the event was responsible for more than 260,000 cases of COVID-19 between August 2 and September 2.
Photos from past festivals show attendees huddled together as they watch a parade of souped-up motorcycles hurtle through the downtown area.