STURGIS, S.D. – Few of the thousands of bikers at the 80th annual Sturgis motorcycle rally are unaware that most townspeople aren’t welcoming them. As if, amid the roar and the beer, they might care. Weeks ago 605 of Sturgis residents voted against holding the rally because of the coronavirus pandemic – at least not on the scheduled dates, August 7-16. Later perhaps when the pandemic eases but not now. The City Council approved the dates anyway. And, like drawn by a magnet, bikers have flocked to Sturgis for 10 days of drag races, contests and concerts – although, say locals, not the usual 500,00 or so and far fewer than the record 750,000 for the 75th anniversary event. Masks are uncommon. Before the rally Meade County, where Sturgis is located, 94 reported infections. The county has 25,000 people, Sturgis 7,000.
Earlier: Mostly mask-free bikers amass in Sturgis