Sturgis Rally... Always A Little Extra Excitement

Last week, Sturgis again hosted the annual motorcycle rally.  I was there to partake in most of the activities and enjoyed the KISS concert (the show, not so much the music really), went to a Pat Green concert (who was fantastic by the way), and got to experience being backstage during a Kenny Chesney concert.  Being backstage was cool.  I was able to get a different perspective of a concert and of course the view was pretty intense as I looked over the endless sea of people (and at KC's backside).  Of all the big name acts (and I DO love Kenny Chesney) my biggest anticipation for Rally was to go to The Loud American Roadhouse to listen/watch a sensational band called Judd  Hoos.  (To Listen) They are a regional, midwestern band with a huge following and I am one of their fans.  SO, when the Rally is in full swing, I can be found at The Loud American, getting a good workout in, jumping around as if I were 21 again and lovin' life.  The band has a great energy, playing cover music and their own stuff - which is excellent!

Well, Thursday night was a different experience... 

There was the usual pushing and shoving from people dancing at the front of the stage, some rude, young people and hot and sweaty bikers.   As we were loving the scene, a scuffle happened to break out at the bar, left of stage.  I didn't take much notice - I was there to listen to the band and thought it was just another bar fight. (Hey, they happen, right?)   However, the scuffle turned into a brawl and a big bang rang out .  My mind didn't really comprehend what was actually happening, so I looked at the band for confirmation of my own reaction and turned again towards the sound of the bang and saw a flash from a gun and heard from what I now know to be a second gunshot.  I was concerned as my friend Jill was in that vicinity but I was staying positive she was out of danger. 

Everyone around us shouted, "Get down!" and the people who were pushing and shoving at the front of the stage were now pulling everyone to the ground.  Immediately, the bar's atmosphere changed and silence replaced the music.  It was amazing how 400-500 loud partiers could instantly shut down.  

Looking over to the bar, it seemed like a massive dogpile and you could hear the grunts and scuffling of feet.  The police seemed to arrive within minutes and the bar was under lockdown.  Within 10 minutes or so, we were instructed to calmly move towards the exits.  During this time the events were still cloudy and the occurence didn't seem real until we reached the outdoors where people were ordered under drawn guns to get to the ground and stay there.  About 20 minutes later, I spotted Jill squirming her way over to us on her belly.  She was a little shaken because she was pretty close to the action but unharmed, thank goodness.

All of us were released after being interrogated and videotaped.  

The news reports state that  a member of the Iron Pigs, a Seattle Motorcycle "Club" of  retired and active policeman, shot a member of the Hell's Angels.  So, it was an off duty police officer who had a gun in the bar.  I can only offer my opinion on firearms carried into a bar.  "They have no place in a bar, whether you are an off-duty policeman or a Hell's Angel!"  In time I'm sure everything will come to light. 

With all that happened and having reflected on the turn of events, I was surprised by a few things that occured. 

#1 If it had to happen, I am glad I was there to experience it.  

#2 Prior to the occurence of the brawl and shootings, the band was playing and people were pushing and shoving eachother to get closer and closer to the stage.   But....after the shootings, I noticed people did a 180 and became peaceful, caring individuals who were concerned about others' well beings.  I was genuinely moved by the sense of caring and kindness of the crowd.  It amazed me.  Of course, there were people who ran out of the bar screaming as well. 

#3 I did learn that out of my group of friends, who will keep their head about them under pressure and who will need to be taken care of.   

However, all in all, the police were prepared and quick in their response.  Everyone was concerned about the person who was shot and most of us were calm and patient. 

The Sturgis Rally is fairly non-violent.  Of course there are times when violence occurs but it is not a place one would feel threatened or unsafe.  99.9% of the people are there to have a good time.