Seasonal Migration

Probably, dear readers, you have heard of the huge yearly biker rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. This is after all the 69th annual rally, and it has drawn much media interest recently. Attendance in some years has been estimated as high as 500,000 people. Have you ever considered how the bikers get there? The answer is of course, they ride.

This annual migration impacts, among other things, the economies of many small towns along the way. Consider the case of Carlton, Minnesota, population 810 as of the 2000 Census. It is at the intersection of Minnesota State Highways 45 and 210. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Cops have been bracing for months. Business people are crossing their fingers." They quote a local bar owner, "It's good news, I'm excited that they're coming and look forward to seeing them." Tim Rogentine owns the Lost Isle Bar on Hwy. 210 in Carlton.

The Star-Tribune reports, "His establishment will be closed for a private function from Wednesday to Sunday." When they asked him to confirm that the Hells Angels had rented out his bar, Mr. Rogentine said: "Um, I can't say. I've signed a contract that says I can't give any interviews."

Good times. The Carlton County Sheriff, Kelly Lake, has only nineteen field officers in her Sheriff's department.