Video: The Bike Rally Is Almost Here

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Bikes and bikers are rolling into the tiny town of Sturgis in Oktibbeha County.

The population swells from less than 300 to thousands, as riders from across the country roar into town.

For decades, the bike rally in Sturgis has brought thousands of visitors. However, an interruption a few years ago almost put the brakes on the popular event, but a new commitment by the town and the rally board is helping to keep things rolling strong.

When you see bikers, a full RV park, and vendors set up, it means one thing, ‘The Rally’ is ready to roll out, but before that can happen, a lot has to be done.

“The town is responsible for making sure that the trash service is there, the porter service is there for the entire town including the park,” says President of the Sturgis Rally Board, Donny Hanson.

Those are just few things on the event checklist. That’s why there’s a non-profit committee to help the town out.

“The rally board pretty much covers what goes in the park, but the town takes care of getting them down there, and sort of place them where we need them in the park, events, camping, and everything that’s going on,” says Hanson.

It costs the town and board around $40,000 dollars to get the rally rolling.

“The best business solution for putting this rally on,is that we would kind of split the expenses so to speak,where the town would make money or at least break even,the rally board would make money or at least break even,” says Hanson.

Making money or breaking even wouldn’t be possible without the loyal riders who start setting up days before the event cranks up.

“By the time you pay your campers spots,and all of your fees and stuff, you’re looking at $600 to $800 dollars, you know, I know it’s got to be a big boost for the economy around here you know, because it’s starting to fill up as we start.Well last year,I don’t think they had any vacant spots in here and that’s really great,” says biker, Bobby Barnhill.

Biker Gary Martin,also known as Goober,has been riding for as long as he can remember, and he says this is his favorite part of the rally.

“Just all of the friends getting together. They live in different states, and they just all come down together and socialize once a year.”