Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Kicks Into Gear


Touted as the nation's largest motorcycle rally, the Sturgis Motorcycle
Rally transforms Sturgis, South Dakota, from a quiet town of
less than 7,000 into a jam-packed event with almost half-a-million
motorcycle enthusiasts. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the
Sturgis rally, which is expected to draw even more people. The
[mageProductLink sku="pk-15-sturgis" title=""]motorcycle
rally[/mageProductLink] will last until Aug. 9. Some experts have
predicted the event will reach 1 million attendees this year, which
would be the largest gathering ever.
According to Reuters, this week-long motorcycle rally has already
caused thousands of people to stuff their bikes to the brim with
riding gear, trek across the country, and wait with anticipation
for this spectacular event. Bars, event stages, hotels and
campsites were already beginning to be filled the weekend before
the event started. The town is quickly transformed into a giant
mesh of black leather, bandanas and beards.
Hundreds of custom-built bikes, Knuckleheads and Harley-Davidson
motorcycles are put on display for event-goers to look at
throughout the week. Ken McNenny, co-owner of the Knuckle Saloon in
downtown Sturgis, said his business wouldn't exist without the
rally, which he prepares for each year, Reuters reported.
In fact, McNenny said he boosts his staff to nearly 200 workers for
the event and said he normally has a fourth of the number of
workers during the other 51 weeks of the year.
Rally Changing With A New Generation Of Riders

In the past, a lot of
people associated the rally with drugs, nudity and biker gangs that
ruled the town for a week. Heidi Kruse, executive director of the
Sturgis Chamber of Commerce, explained even though this is a
misconception of the rally, the types of bikers have significantly
changed in the last few years, Reuters reported.
"We're trying to tailor it to the younger generation," Kruse said.
"There are misconceptions about who's filling the town. There are
now accountants and lawyers. It's certainly not the biker gangs
from the 70s."
According to The Associated Press, many people attending the event
want to bring a positive light to motorcycle riders, especially
after the events that occurred earlier this year in Waco, Texas,
where a massive biker gang shootout happened.
Sturgis Police Chief Jim Bush told the source that he expects this
year's event to be safe and secure. Bush added that he believes the
information the police department has indicates there will not by
any rival biker gang activity.
As a precaution, the police department calls in officers from seven
or eight other states to help the department handle the massive
crowd. The event continues to get plenty of publicity and all the
organizers want to keep it that way with a safe and fun rally.
Sturgis Partners Up With Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson recently became the
official partner of the Sturgis motorcycle rally. The company
built a brand new stage on Main Street that will be able to hold
concerts, events and be a general place to hang out during the
event.
Earlier in the week the major motorcycle manufacturer unveiled the
new Harley-Davidson Rally Point stage with a welder cutting a metal
chain instead of the traditional oversized scissors and ribbon.
"We are thrilled to be here," said Bill Davidson, vice president of
the Harley-Davidson museum and great-grandson of founder William A.
Davidson. "This is a historic moment, to be able to unveil this
phenomenal part of Main Street with all of you is a pretty special
time, so thanks for being here. "Sturgis is proven to be a mecca
for riders from all over the world to gather here and what's really
cool is during its initial 75 years Harley-Davidson riders have
truly defined what this event is."
Several major music acts are scheduled to play throughout the week
as more riders enter the city.