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.