STURGIS, S.D. – The 86th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally officially kicked off Friday at 3 p.m. at Harley-Davidson Rally Point, drawing crowds from across the region near Rapid City.
The ceremony took place against the backdrop of an airbrush painted mural created through the “Paint the Nation” mural program, making Sturgis the only city in South Dakota to feature such artwork.
Master of Ceremonies D-Ray Knight led the opening program, which featured Sturgis Mayor Rod Bradley and Grand Marshal Tim Duffy. Duffy, a former FDNY firefighter and U.S. Navy veteran, was selected as grand marshal as organizers prepare to honor the upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11. Duffy famously rode his Harley-Davidson into lower Manhattan to aid rescue efforts following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“First off, I have to say, I’m totally honored and humbled to be here,” Duffy said. He detailed his work rescuing shelter animals and pairing them with wounded veterans to assist with mental health and suicide prevention.
“You people are, I would say, the bulk of the money that we take in to help these wounded veterans,” Duffy told the gathering, praising the support of the motorcycle community.
The opening ceremony began with the national anthem performed by Hilary Hill, followed by an invocation from Dusty Hess, pastor of Hope Church in Sturgis.
Bradley addressed the crowd, connecting this year’s gathering to the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
“There’s so much that connects between America and the 250th birthday and the rally,” Bradley said. “We got freedom, independence, determination, adventure, a lot of the same values that make America what it is.”
The event also included an impromptu speech by Ali, founder of Midwest Women Riders. She highlighted a historic June ride in which 1,433 female motorcyclists set three world records along a 31-mile stretch of Interstate 90 in Rockford, Illinois, according to Atlas World Records.
Corporate sponsors recognized during the program included Amsoil Incorporated, Anheuser-Busch Companies and Quality Brands of the Black Hills, High Country Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Rockford Fosgate, Rosenbauer America, and Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys. An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson was the only to get up to thank the Sturgis Rally attendees and speak on 150 years of Budweiser and 250 years of the United States of America
Bradley concluded the ceremony by reading the official rally proclamation and encouraging visitors throughout the Black Hills to practice road safety.
