STURGIS, SD, (KELO.com)– The 79th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has officially kicked off today.
The Rally started with a speech from Mayor Mark Carstensen at the Harley Davidson Rally Point.
Carstensen’s speech is followed by professional stunt rider Cole Freeman jumping over Main Street.
Sturgis Rally Information Officer Christina Steele says that Freeman reached out and asked if the Rally was interested in having him perform. Steele says, “He goes to events all over the United States…we’re excited to have him.”
The Rally isn’t just known for daredevils and motorcycles. It is also known for its heavy traffic and tough-to-find parking.
Sturgis Police Geody Vandwaater says, “The biggest thing that we tend to see here every year [at the] Rally is not always major crimes, it’s something simple as parking.”
He says, “We have people parking where they shouldn’t be parking, we have people that don’t take heed to the yellow painting or the signs. That’s probably one of the things I’d like to get out there is be aware of where you’re parking and make sure you’re parking somewhere that’s legal.”
The consequence of illegal parking is a ticket and a towed vehicle.
Steele says Main Street is busy, but there are alternative places to park.
“Main Street will be full…either you will have to cruise Main Street for a bit or park in one of the many church lots that has donation parking they’re all real close to Main Street. Parking is not impossible by any means,” she says.
