5/20/2026 It Happened!

Back in 2004 I attended The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the largest motorcycle rally in the world.

It is held annually in The Black Hills and in Sturgis, South Dakota for 10 days during the first week of August. It was started by local Indian dealer Pappy Hoel in 1938. Since its beginning, private area businesses throwing events such as races, concerts, and rides.

Then in 2020 marked the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

That year the corona virus has resulted in a variety of motorcycle rallies, events and gatherings being called off.

The year 2020 I had planned to attend again, however the Conronavirus showed up.

Sturgis, South Dakota a mecca for motorcycle lovers the world over - They said...The show will go on.

The Sturgis Rally was months away and experts predict the Coronavirus would have peaked and continue to be in decline before the end of summer.​

The president announced plans to reopen the economy and businesses.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem released an executive order on that April 28 that included South Dakota's "Back to Normal" plan.

The plan continued to remain optimistic. The rally was still on and had NOT been postponed.

Since the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is part owned by many different venues and organizations, and not owned by any one organization, an updated list of all the Sturgis Rally venues that have publicly stated their position in regard to the coronavirus.

No Sturgis Rally Venue Had Postponed or Canceled Any Event.

All concerts, events, and activities were on schedule for late summer.

Many were still looking forward to August 7-15, 2020 at the 80th Sturgis Rally.

Organizations that have made public statements about 80th Sturgis Rally and the coronavirus included:

• Sturgis Buffalo Chip – Moving forward as planned.

• Glencoe Camp Resort – Moving forward as planned.​

• Pappy Hoel Campground – Moving forward as planned​.

• City of Sturgis – made a decision June 15th.

Since the City of Sturgis only controls what happens in Sturgis city limits and the vast majority of Rally activities (including riding, camping and events) happen at venues and campgrounds outside of the city limits it would take more than the city banning people from town to shut down the Sturgis Rally.​

So at that date the word was still "A GO!"

My plans at first were a tentative "Maybe"... But in the end I rode up on my 2008 Yamaha 1300 Tourer with a friend that had never attended this fabulous event. We had a wonderful time!

Nana