Quick Guide to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2020
The 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will take place August 7 – 16
Plans for the 2020 City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are currently moving forward and the odds are very favorable it will go on.
In the last few years Main Street was totally resurfaced and bump outs were added on each street corner. The City planted flower and trees in the bump outs to add beauty and increase the overall aesthetic of Main Street.
Harley-Davidson Way will now be open for both motorcycle parking and vehicle traffic. On Main Street, there are approximately 40 – 50 fewer motorcycle parking spots due to the bumpouts on the street corners, but with the increased spots on Harley-Davidson Way, it amounts to nearly the same motorcycle parking capacity as before.
Historical attendance peaked in 2015, with 739,000 estimated partcipants, but average attendance is closer to 500,000 the past decade.
It’s difficult to determine 2020 attendance due to the many concerns brought forth by the COVID-19 situation. A final decision on whether or not to hold the Rally will be determined in two meetings.
The Sturgis City Council will hold a special meeting on June 8 to discuss this topic. On June 15, the City Council will hold a regular Council meeting and will make a final decision on holding the Rally.
The Sturgis Motorycle Rally is home to 10 days and nights of some of the best music in the country. From local, home-grown bands to up-and-coming regional acts to full-blown, national concerts, here are the scheduled concerts:
Concert Line Up
August 7: Puddle of Mudd
August 8: Shinedown, The Takeover, Cody Johnson
August 9: Lynard Skynard, Colt Ford, TDWP, Fozzy
August 10: REO Speedwagon, Light The Torch, Killswitch Engage
August 11: Willie Nelson & Family
August 12: ZZ Top, Motionless In White, Hairball
August 13: Jackyl
August 14: Skillet, 10 Years, Crobot
Billed as a very emotional exhibit, Remembering Our Fallen will be displayed at Sturgis Community Center to remind Americans of the ultimate sacrifice made by those who died from wounds suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan while wearing our country’s uniform.
The memorial includes 32 Tribute Towers with military and personal photos of over 5,000 of our nation’s military Fallen since 9/11/2001. This memorial was unveiled nationally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in late 2017.
“This will be an incredible moving experience for everyone who attends the Rally” said Jerry Cole, Director of Rally & Eventsfor the City of Sturgis. “The Rally is one of the greatest patriotic events in the country. This exhibit along with the Gold Star family in attendance will make this a must-see exhibit
In 2019 the Rally generated $655,090,000 of direct spending by visitors, $65,509,000 in additional indirect spending, $615,116 in funding for local non-profit and charitable organizations and $1,165,688 in net profit to the City of Sturgis.
Schedule of Events
The Legendary Sturgis 5K Run has a $40 entry fee and is held Sunday, August 9, 2020. 7:00 am – 7:50 am – Check In/Registration with an 8:00 am Run Start at Fort Meade Softball Fields. It finishes at the Woodland Park Shelter.
Participants get a chip timed event,
Event t-shirt (If registered before July-1-2020) Post Race Breakfast,
Signature Collectors Challenge Coin, and bus transportation back to the start.
Other significant events:
Sunday, August 9, 2020 – Drag Races. Move In, Test and Tune 1 PM – 5 PM, “Run What Ya Brung” Event 6 PM ($5 passes)
Monday, August 10, 2020 – AHDRA Nitro Drag Qualifying 1 PM – Until Finished
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 – AHDRA Nitro Drag Finals 1 PM – Until Finished
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Held open for Rain Day / BAKER “All In To Go All Out”
Spectator & Racer Arm Bands
August 9th – $10.00
August 10th – $20.00
August 11th – $20.00
Entire Event Arm Band (All 3 Days) – $40.00
Notes of Caution
Every year, motorcycles are stolen during the Rally. Expensive custom bikes are popular with thieves, please take some precautions to lower the risk of your bike being stolen:
• Be aware of where you park.
• Avoid dark, poorly lit areas.
• Pay attention to people standing around who seem to take particular interest in your bike.
• Do not leave leathers, cameras, souvenirs, etc. on your bike.
• LOCK YOUR MOTORCYCLE!
• Factory ignition switch locks are easily overcome by thieves. High-quality disc locks, wheel locks and heavy cable or chain locks are recommended in addition to factory installed devices. Inexpensive locks are generally of poorer quality and are easily broken or cut.
• Determined thieves can steal any motorcycle, but common sense and taking these extra precautions will reduce your chances of being a victim.
City Ordinances
Indecent Exposure – $111
Open Container In Public -$61
Deposit of Filth – $86
Disorderly Conduct – $111
Careless Driving – $91
City Park Violations – $10
City trespassing – $111
Dog Running at Large – $56
Exhibition Driving – $66
Parking in Handicapped Zone – $100
Reckless Driving – Custody Arrest
Truck Routes Violations – $91
Use of Sound Amplification Device – Court Appearance Req.
Driving on bike path/sidewalk – $111
State Law
Cancelled License – $144
Violation of Restricted License – $94
Revoked Drivers License – Custody Arrest
Furnish Alcohol to Minor – Court Appearance Req.
Open Container in Motor Vehicle – $94
Possess of Controlled Substance – Custody Arrest
Possess of Drug Paraphernalia – $244
Possess of Marijuana – Custody Arrest
Possess of Substances for High Abuse (Distribution) – Custody Arrest
Juvenile Laws
Underage Alcohol Poss/Consump – Court Appearance Req.
(Continued) in Motor Vehicle – Court Appearance Req.
Underage Purchase of Cigarettes – $69
State Motorcycle Laws
Carrying Loaded or Uncased Gun – Custody Arrest
Cyclists Overtaking in Same Ln – $94
Eye Protection Required – $20
Helmet Required (under age 18) – $94
Illegal Handlebar Height – $20
Operation W/O Motorcycle Endorse -$94
South Dakota Motorcycle Driving Laws
Every motorcycle must be equipped with at least one but no more than two headlamps.
The handlebars of a motorcycle must be no higher than the shoulder height of the person operating the motorcycle.
All persons under the age of 18 must wear motorcycle safety helmets that are approved by the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
A person riding in an enclosed cab attached to a motorcycle does not have to wear a safety helmet.
A motorcycle operator must wear an eye protective device unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen of sufficient height and design that protects the motorcycle operator. When headlights are required to be on, a motorcycle operator cannot wear protective eye devices that are tinted or shaded to reduce the light transmission of the device below 35 percent.
Motorcycles must have at least one tail lamp, which when lighted emits a red light visible for a distance of 500 feet.
Noise Limits: Every motorcycle must at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise.
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Texans Jack & Dodie View All →
Raised in San Antonio, Jack Dennis’ early experiences were as a newspaper reporter and private investigator. With a Texas State University bachelor’s degree, Jack studied journalism, education and psychology. He was the founding vice-president of Sigma Delta Chi, the Association of Professional Journalists at the University. Jack has received numerous awards, including Investigative Reporter of the Year from Rocky Mountain Press Association, David Ashworth Community Award, and Leadership in Management.
Some of the people and groups Jack has interviewed include:
Music
Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, George Strait, Roy Orbison, Justin Timberlake, Steven Tyler, Freddie Mercury, Kenny Rogers, Kenny Loggins, Jackson Browne, Steve Wariner, Tanya Tucker, Scotty Moore, Fats Domino, Patty Page, Tommy Roe, Emmy Lou Harris, Johnny Rivers, Charly McClain, Kinky Friedman, John McFee, Guy Allison & Patrick Simmons (Doobie Brothers) , Randy Bachman (BTO), Jim Messina, Todd Rundgren, Alvin Lee, Gary Puckett, The Ventures, Freddy Cannon, Augie Meyer, Christopher Cross, Whiskey Myers, Sha Na Na (John “Bowzer” Baumann), Flash Cadillac, Jerry Scheff, John Wilkinson, Darrell McCall, and more.
Politicians & News
George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Lady Bird Johnson, Greg Abbott, Rudolph Giuliani, Larry King, Jack Anderson, Tom Bradley, Connie Mack, and more.
Actors
Clint Eastwood, Mike Myers, Taylor Lautner, Cameron Diaz, Jerry Lewis, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Selena Gomez, Tippi Hedren, James Earl Jones, James Woods, Jim Nabors, Martha Raye, Rosalind Russell, June Lockhart, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Howie Mandel, Meg Ryan, Cheri Oteri, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, James Drury, Melanie Griffith, Nathan Lane, Alan Thicke, Lou Diamond Phillips, Clint Howard, Tony Sirico, Cesar Romero, Michael Berryman, Tracy Scoggins, William Windom, Warren Stevens and more.
Space Explorers
Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Wally Schirra, Dave Scott, Gene Cernan, Walt Cunningham, Scott Carpenter, Gene Kranz (NASA Flight Director), Ed Mitchell, Richard Gordon, Bruce McCandless, Vanentina Treshkova (first woman in space, Russia), Alex Leonov (first man to walk in space, Russian), Al Worden, Dee O’Hara (nurse to astronauts) and more.
Sports: Joe Torre, Roger Staubach, Bob Hayes, Billie Jean King, Manuela Maleeva, Drew Pearson, Bob Lilly, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, George Gervin, Tony Parker, Shannon Miller, Cathy Rigby, Bruce Bowen, Wade Boggs, Fernando Valenzuela, Bernie Kosar, Dale Murphy, Jim Abbott, Dick Bartell, Mike Schmidt, Dan Pastorini and more.
Notables
May Pang, Bob Eubanks, Vernon Presley, Vester Presley, Charlie Hodge, Joe Esposito, Rick Stanley (Elvis’ step-brother, Harold Lloyd (Elvis’ first cousin), Doyle Brunson, Kara Peller, Hank Meijer, Norman Brinkler, Stanley Marcus, Jerry King, Mac King, Nathan Burton, Zach Anner, Louie Anderson, Owen Benjamin, Steve Byrne and more.
As head of Facilities for a major retailer (H-E-B Food/Drugs) for 20 years, Jack co-founded Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) and was elected President to establish PRSM magazine. Jack is a writer, speaker, golf-concierge and happiness coach. He has researched and studied happiness for over 40 years.
Jack was a prolific writer for Examiner.com, with over 1,900 articles written in six years. His articles and stories have appeared in AXS Entertainment, The ROWDY Country Music, Memphis Flash, and numerous magazines.
He is author of “Miracles of Justice,” a true courtroom drama novel about social injustice and miracles.
