City finalizing plans as 81st annual Sturgis Rally now less than a month away

STURGIS, S.D. — We’re less than a month away from when a small Black Hills town will be transformed for one week into the biggest city in the state.

The city of Sturgis is in the final stretch of preparations before the official start of the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Right now, the city is finalizing contracts with sponsors and vendors.

With last year being a bit of an “anomaly” due to COVID,  it was still considered a successful year – and officials say this Rally is holding its ground with 2019’s numbers.

“We’re actually a little bit ahead of 2019, which was our last normal year, so I think it’s going to be a very busy year. We’ve talked to a lot of campgrounds and hotel owners that sort of thing, and they also have shown a pretty good increase for numbers for this year,” said Christina Steele, Sturgis Public Information Officer.

Steele says the city will be having temporary staff for the Rally joining them soon, and the city is still taking applications for security and sales positions.

The official kick off date for the 81st Sturgis Rally is Friday, August 6.