Time to Get Rally-Ready
Local News
by
Adam Uhernik
last edited on
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
More than a half a million people are expected to attend the Sturgis Rally this year. In fact some people say it could be closer to about 800,000 people going because this year it's the 70th anniversary.
In downtown Sturgis, many vendors are setting up and getting ready for the biggest event of the summer.
"I heard this is the biggest show it's the 70th anniversary this year," said vendor, Leonirto Ivasuic
On the corner of Junction and Main Street, a few people walk down the street now. But wait a few weeks and there will be hundreds of thousands of people and motorcycles filling the streets.
Sturgis City Manager, Dave Boone, said, "This is going to be a very large rally, reservations are up any where between 25 and 35 percent, according to some businesses."
Another addition to this year's Rally downtown Sturgis is welcoming back Harley Davidson, which is moving from the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
"This is destination retail central for the summer, and we're anticipating a very large crowd so we are preparing for that," said Boone.
Hotel reservations are up about 35-percent, and pre-registration for vendors are up 82-percent, which means at this year's Rally over 700 vendors will be selling goodies.
"I think the busiest time of the show will be the last weekend."
But, vendors say they're not going to wait that long to get their wares out because they want to make sure they take full advantage of early birds and late comers for this anniversary rally. Boone says the Rally has really become a regional event, he also says Sturgis is adding more parking for motorcycles this year.