Sturgis expecting bigger year for 79th annual rally

(KBHB, STURGIS, SD) – The City of Sturgis says it’s looking to be a bigger year for the 79th Annual Motorcycle Rally.

In its daily report, the city reported garbage collection is already up 9.4-percent over last year. Garbage collection is a key indicator for the city in determining the size of each year’s rally.

Vendor permits are doing well too. City PIO Christina Steele says as of 8:00 a.m. Sunday, the city had issued 621 vendor permits.

Today, the rally will feature the annual Mayor’s Ride, which raises money for the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department as well as several other charities.

The ride leaves from the north side of the Sturgis Community Center at 9:00 a.m. and will end at noon at the Game Lodge pavilion at Custer State Park.

Steele says because of the very wet summer, organizers of the ride are in contact with park personnel to monitor weather conditions and areas that are prone to flooding along the route.