Over half a million people flocked to South Dakota this week for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - but some are now leaving with more than just their bikes.
Arrests and citations increased this year as scantily-clad revelers filled the streets of Sturgis, surpassing numbers seen in 2023 over the week-long event.
According to newly 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's.
The event is known for bringing a hedonistic atmosphere to the normally sleepy Black Hills area, with UFC star Connor McGregor among those spotted among the partygoers.
Over half a million people flocked to South Dakota this week for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - although it is known for bringing more than biker-heads to the Black Hills
Scantily-clad revelers are now a common sight at the rally, wherea total of 1,326 arrests and citations were issued this year
Although the annual biker extravaganza is ostensibly focused on the world of motorcycles, in recent years locals have complainedthat hard-partying and debauchery is taking over.
In one stunt that is becoming a more common sight in dive bars across the nation, one bartender was seen slapping a biker in the face as he downed a shot.
The 142 DUI arrests this year are an increase from the 109 in 2023, with misdemeanor drug arrests also up with 259 this year compared to 212 in 2023.
However, the number of bikers injured in crashes as they filled the streets were down in 2024, with just 33 this year compared to 59 in 2023.
Both 2023 and 2024 saw a total of three fatalities as a result of crashes, however, while at least eight riders were seriously injured in accidents - including some who officials said were not wearing helmets.
Officials say over 150,000 motorcycles descend on the town every year, almost 10 times the total human population of Sturgis 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's
At least three bikers died and eight were seriously injured in crashes, including some who officials said were not wearing helmets at the hedonistic event
The fun-filled rally brings over half a million people to the sleepy Black Hills of South Dakota
While some locals may be turned off when the event descends on Sturgis every year, it is also a huge boom for the economy that for 11 months is far from rowdy.
The entire state of South Dakota has around 900,000 people, so the influx of over half a million bikers and partiers brings a wave of new business, live music venues, pop-up bars and events.
For most of the year, the Sturgis Police Department comprises of only around 20 officers, but is also expanded to one of the largest in South Dakota as other forces lend their resources.
One such event to come to the Black Hills rally this year, the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), also led a famous face to enjoy his time in Sturgis.
Conor McGregor, 36, was seen sipping a beer in a crowded bar over the weekend, with some observers feeling he seemed far away from focused on fighting.
@christownsend310 Weird… #sturgis #sturgisrally #sturgis2024 #blackhills #buffalochip #buffalochipcampground #connormcgregor #mcgregor #ufc #bkfc #bareknuckle #littleperson
♬ original sound - Chris Townsend
Conor McGregor, 36, is seen partying near a woman last weekend in Sturgis, South Dakota, as he enjoyed the motorcycle rally
The UFC fighter was in town for the famed motorcycle extravaganza, which welcomed some 158,488 vehicles over the week
The UFC star, who is a part-owner of BKFC, seemed conscious of the eyes and cameras on him at the bar, which led to a hilarious interaction with one over-eager fan inside the bar.
A dancing woman attempted to twerk on the former champion fighter, but McGregor simply walked away - in footage seen millions of times on social media.
'This dude is never fighting again,' one onlooker tweeted of the widely seen encounter, as the clip gained traction on social media.
'Girl started twerking and he wasn't having none of it,' another added, capping the comment with a laughing emoji.
'She tried to rizz Conor McGregor,' a reshared clip on TikTok further sniped.
'She was trying to rizz up Conor McGregor at Sturgis 2024 motorcycle rally and he dipped.'
Others made jokes about the woman's height, and many honed in on the MMA star's penchant for drinking.
