Sturgis vs. Sturgis

Sturgis, South Dakota plans to sue Sturgis, Kentucky over the name of their bike rally. A South Dakota Attorney says if a settlement outside of court isnt reached in the next twenty days, then Little Sturgis future will be left up to the law. The Little Sturgis Biker Rally is an event that Kentucky residents look forward to every year. Its drawn thousands of bikers every year since 1993. Everything about the rally has become tradition in the small town, including the rallys name. Now Sturgis, South Dakota, who also holds an annual bike rally, wants that to change. Their attorney, Michael Reynolds says, "The fact they call it The Little Sturgis Rally clearly indicates reference to our rally. Were not trying to be vindictive or vengeful but if you dont enforce your trademark, they go away." He says theyre willing to settle the dispute outside of court, but if Sturgis, KY does not contact them in twenty days, the law suit will proceed. Many Western Kentucky residents feel theres nothing to settle. Carlene Thomas says, "its the name of our town, we should be able to keep the name." She says shes ready to fight "tooth and nail" to keep the rallys name, but even if they cant, her husband Bill feels the rally will still go on, and believes the pettiness of the case may even turn some bikers away from the rally in South Dakota. Despite the pending law suit, The Little Sturgis Rally is still scheduled for July.