Sturgis History
Rallies began in this town of 7,000, in August 1938, when a group of friends decided to hold racing and stunt competitions. Only a handful of racers gathered initially, although each year more participants and spectators arrived. The event was cancelled for two year due to World War II, but resumed in full force after the conflict ceased.
Motorcycling had caught on, and the Sturgis Rally became the place to meet other bikers and champion the sport. By the 1980's tens of thousands were showing up, and for the 50th anniversary, in 1990, attendance was pegged at 400,000. Even more impressive, an estimated 550,000-633,000 celebrated the 60th anniversary rally in 2000, when nearly 200 marriage licenses during the event at Sturgis that year. Estimates this year's 67th annual Rally have been pegged as lower than the 800,000 that have shown up in recent years, but have not been released. Also showing up were more than 1,000 vendors, with taxable sales reported at more than 16 million.