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2020-08-07 -Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
‘Boxed Into a Corner,' Residents Brace for Thousands to Attend Motorcycle Rally
[DNYUZ] For most of the year, Sturgis, S.D., is a relatively quiet city of 7,000 residents tucked beside a 1.2 million-acre forest, with a motorcycle museum as its signature attraction. But each summer, Sturgis transforms as bikers descend for a massive motorcycle rally.

This year’s festival may attract about 250,000 people despite an uptick in coronavirus cases across the state, city officials say, leading to fears it could become a super-spreader event.

When the virus upended life across America in the spring, it forced the cancellation of graduation ceremonies, music festivals, marathons and other large gatherings. Sturgis, which has hosted the rally since 1938, pushed ahead with its plans anyway.

The 10-day rally, which begins Friday, may be the country’s largest public gathering since the pandemic began, and it comes amid widespread opposition. More than 60 percent of residents favored postponing the event, according to a city-sponsored survey.

"We should have postponed or canceled the rally last March," said Terry Keszler, a Sturgis City Council member, echoing the concerns that have divided his community.

City officials faced pressure from businesses, people outside the city and threats of ligation, Mr. Keszler said. Still, they cut back on advertising and canceled city-sponsored events, including the opening ceremony.

Over the past week, there has been an average of 84 coronavirus cases a day in South Dakota, a 31 percent increase over the previous two weeks. And some say the surge might grow worse: The city plans to offer coronavirus testing for its residents once the rally concludes on Aug. 16.
Posted by Besoeker 2020-08-07 02:47|| || Front Page|| [1 views ]  Top

#1  festival may attract about 250,000 people

When I last went, it was 1,000,000.
Posted by Skidmark 2020-08-07 08:53||   2020-08-07 08:53|| Front Page Top

#2 Ready other articles at that site, headline is par for the course.

But go ahead and hype how chic cool it is your bedroom is your new cubicle and how easy it is to get to happy hour in your kitchen.

Perhaps with an appropriate number of joy joy postings your ward Karen will allow 30 minutes outside time.
Posted by swksvolFF 2020-08-07 10:30||   2020-08-07 10:30|| Front Page Top

#3 They have plenty of time to leave if they don't want to be there.
Posted by Silentbrick 2020-08-07 14:22||   2020-08-07 14:22|| Front Page Top

#4 Who moves to Sturgis and is like, "What motorcycle rally?"

It isn't a safety piece, it is an opinion piece concern trolling any readers who are thinking about going, and giving permission to the Kens and Karens and anyone who feels emasculated by motorcycles permission to sneer or even 5 minute hate.

These tourist destinations are destinations for good reason; they have a festival like Sturgis does, or is the gateway to a National Park or other attraction. People from all over the world come to see the attraction. Some love it so much, they pack up their life and move there.

Then when they get there, they get pissed there are tourists, and do everything they can to discourage tourism. Seriously Terry, you kiss your own ass with that mought?
Posted by swksvolFF 2020-08-07 17:20||   2020-08-07 17:20|| Front Page Top

#5 1,000,000, isn't that the daily NYC subway commute?

I'd take my chances five days in a cigar smoking, whiskey shooting, rode 2000 miles to get here biker bar over one cross-NYC subway commute any day of the week plus Boglesday.
Posted by swksvolFF 2020-08-07 17:31||   2020-08-07 17:31|| Front Page Top

#6 Would it be okay if everyone rode electric motorcycles? Just asking for a revolting friend.
Posted by Canuckistan sniper 2020-08-07 18:30||   2020-08-07 18:30|| Front Page Top

#7 "Where are the Tesla charging stations? I need a top-off"
Posted by Frank G 2020-08-07 18:35||   2020-08-07 18:35|| Front Page Top

#8 @#6 - reVOLTing. Pun intended?
Posted by DooDahMan 2020-08-07 21:44||   2020-08-07 21:44|| Front Page Top










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