![Annual Sturgis Rally Expecting 250,000, Raising Virus Concerns](https://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2017/04/72502967.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Annual Sturgis Rally Expecting 250,000, Raising Virus Concerns
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota, which has seen an uptick in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, is bracing to host hundreds of thousands of bikers for the 80th edition of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
More than 250,000 people are expected to attend the Aug. 7 to Aug. 16 rally in western South Dakota, which could make it the biggest event anywhere since the coronavirus pandemic started.
The event will offer businesses that depend on the rally a chance to make up losses after the downturn in tourism spending.
But many of Sturgis' roughly 7,000 residents are leery about the brimming bars and bacchanalia coming their way and say it shouldn't go on during a pandemic.
![KGAB logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/KGABAM.png?w=100)
Enter your number to get our free mobile app
Major Newspaper Headlines From the Year You Were Born
KEEP READING: Scroll to see what the big headlines were the year you were born
More From KGAB
![Motorcyclist Dead After Colliding With Semi in Wyoming](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2015/08/Highway-Patrol.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![2 Killed, 1 Injured in Separate Motorcycle Crashes in Wyoming](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2019/05/Wyoming-Highway-Patrol2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![College National Finals Rodeo Wraps Up in Casper](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2024/06/attachment-55-fixed.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![College National Finals Rodeo Heading Down the Stretch](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2024/06/attachment-1-11-fixed.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![College National Finals Rodeo Reaches Halfway Point](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2024/06/attachment-1-5-fixed.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![College National Finals Rodeo Rolls Along in Casper](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2024/06/attachment-1-23-fixed.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![No Headlights Leads to Stolen U-Haul, Cheyenne Transient’s Arrest](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2024/06/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-06-10T130050.634.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wyoming Motorcyclist Dead After Rear-Ending Van](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2023/03/attachment-Untitled-design-41.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wyoming/Colorado Chase Ends With Homicide Suspect Killing Himself](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2018/01/police-lights2.jpg?w=980&q=75)