STURGIS, S.D. – Bikers from all across the nation have already descended on Sturgis and the Black Hills as the 80th Annual Motorcycle Rally gets ready to rumble.
The city announced last month that, due to the pandemic, no city sponsored events would be held this year. Despite no city sponsored entertainment, there are plenty of vendors setting up, even one offering carnival rides.
Bikers who are coming who want some live entertainment will head to the various campgrounds outside Sturgis. Among them, the Buffalo Chip, where owner Rod Woodruff urges his attendees to come enjoy the wide open outdoors and freedom.
More than 250,000 people are expected to attend the Aug. 7 to Aug. 16 rally, which could make it the biggest event anywhere since the coronavirus pandemic started.
Health officials, however, are worried what kind of affect this will have on the current status of COVID-19 – not just in the Black Hills area, but across the region.
A.B.C.’s Ryan Burrow has more
Sturgis Mayor Mark Car-sten-sen says it’s up to visitors to be responsible for themselves.
“There’s a lot that can be done if each person takes their own choice in mind, and washes their hands, stays home of their sick.”
Some bikers are opting out this year, saying gathering during a pandemic it’s just too dangerous.
“There’s no way you’re going to be social distancing,” says on biker. Another says “you can’t even get a car through there because there’s bikes on the sides, bikes in the middle.”
Health officials in neighboring Minnesota are recommending bikers who go to Sturgis get tested for COVID-19 when they return home.
Sturgis will be offering over 500 COVID-19 tests for its residents after the rally is over.
