Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Races

By: © Nelson Taylor 2008

Festival Location: Sturgis, SD, USA

Festival State: South Dakota Festivals

Festival Type(s): Motor Sports Events , Parties, Bizarre Festivals

The biggest bike rally of them all, Sturgis, in recent years has found mainstream appeal. Well, sort of, if you're the type of person who can stand tall or ride mean in a small town in South Dakota's Black Hills where 375,000 bikers come to get really wasted, fight and leave skid marks all over your face.

It's really not so bad, but still, no matter how many cops patrol the perimeter, it's still hard to teach old dogs with pony-tails, beer guts and tattoos new tricks. One thing for sure is that Sturgis has been the motorcycle maniac's dream since its rough and tumble debut in 1940. Besides the sea of Harleys parked everywhere (knock one down and you're as good as stew), this annual August event promises high-speed drag races, motorcycle rides for the kids, showcases of new products and various bike exhibits like the Rat's Hole Chopper Show, not to mention the permanent collection at the National Motorcycle Museum.

Then there's some good old fashioned entertainment for adults like lots of booze and the Lady's World Championship Pickle Lickin' Contest. Don't ask. But bet your gas money that come nightfall the bare boobs abound. And if you get tired of all the mayhem, enjoy some of the best scenery imaginable, from the Badlands to Mount Rushmore to Devil's Tower, they're all just a short scoot away.