More than half a million people descended on South Dakota this week for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, but some are now leaving with more than just their bikes.
Arrests and citations surged this year as scantily clad revelers filled the streets of Sturgis, surpassing numbers seen in 2023 during the weeklong event.
According to recently released figures from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, a total of 1,326 arrests and citations were issued at the rally, including 145 felony drug arrests and 142 DUI arrests.
The event is known for bringing a hedonistic atmosphere to the normally quiet Black Hills area, with UFC star Connor McGregor among the party-goers.
More than half a million people flocked to South Dakota this week for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, though it’s known for attracting more than just motorcycle enthusiasts to the Black Hills.
It is now common to see scantily clad people at the demonstration, where a total of 1,326 arrests and citations were issued this year.
Although the annual biker extravaganza ostensibly focuses on the world of motorcycles, in recent years locals have complained that hard partying and debauchery are taking over.
In an act that is becoming increasingly common in dive bars across the country, a bartender was seen slapping a biker in the face while he was drinking a drink.
This year’s 142 DUI arrests are up from 109 in 2023, and misdemeanor drug arrests are also up with 259 this year compared to 212 in 2023.
However, the number of motorcyclists injured in accidents while crowding the streets decreased in 2024, with just 33 this year compared to 59 in 2023.
However, in both 2023 and 2024, a total of three deaths were recorded as a result of accidents, while at least eight cyclists were seriously injured in accidents, including some who authorities say were not wearing helmets.
Officials say more than 150,000 motorcycles come to town each year, nearly 10 times the total human population of Sturgis during the other 11 months of the year.
A total of 1,326 arrests and citations were issued at the rally this year, including 145 felony drug arrests and 142 DUI arrests.
At least three motorcyclists were killed and eight seriously injured in crashes, including some who authorities say were not wearing helmets at the hedonistic event.
The fun-filled event draws more than half a million people to the tranquil Black Hills of South Dakota.
While some locals may feel bummed when the event comes to Sturgis every year, it’s also a big boost for an economy that is far from bustling for 11 months.
The entire state of South Dakota has about 900,000 residents, so the influx of more than half a million bikers and party-goers creates a wave of new businesses, live music venues, pop-up bars and events.
For most of the year, the Sturgis Police Department is staffed by only about 20 officers, but it also expands to become one of the largest in South Dakota as other forces lend their resources.
One such event held at the Black Hills Rally this year, the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), also brought a famous face to enjoy his time in Sturgis.
Conor McGregor, 36, was spotted drinking a beer in a crowded bar over the weekend, with some observers feeling he seemed far from focused on the fight.
Conor McGregor, 36, is seen partying near a woman last weekend in Sturgis, South Dakota, while enjoying the motorcycle rally.
The UFC fighter was in town for the famous motorcycle extravaganza, which welcomed an estimated 158,488 vehicles during the week.
The UFC star, who is a co-owner of BKFC, seemed aware of the eyes and cameras on him at the bar, leading to a hilarious interaction with an excited fan inside the bar.
A female dancer attempted to twerk the former champion wrestler but McGregor simply walked away, in footage viewed millions of times on social media.
“This guy will never fight again,” one spectator tweeted of the widely watched encounter, as the clip gained popularity on social media.
“The girl started twerking and he didn’t want to hear anything about it,” added another, finishing off the comment with a laughing emoji.
“She tried to make fun of Conor McGregor,” added a clip shared again on TikTok.
‘She was trying to cheer on Conor McGregor at the 2024 Sturgis motorcycle rally and he crashed.’
Others made jokes about the woman’s height and many focused on the MMA star’s penchant for drinking.
