Big Drop in Attendance Expected at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — Officials are expecting a smaller and quieter Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this year, one year after the 75th annual event attracted record crowds.
The 76th rally in western South Dakota's Black Hills is Aug. 8-14. The Rapid City Journal reports the biggest indicator of a potential big drop in attendance is an abundance of still-available motel rooms and campground spaces.
A record 739,000 people attended last year's landmark event, up 67 percent from 2014. Rally Director Jerry Cole says this year's event is likely to be an average rally — but that would still mean half a million people.
Vendors have already started setting up shop. Zachary Shaw came from Florida a week early to set up his T-shirt business. He tells KEVN-TV Sturgis is special, and he enjoys coming early.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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