STURGIS, S.D.(KOTA & KBHB) With over a million people expected in the Black Hills for the Sturgis Rally, the South Dakota Task Force 1 will gather to train in Rapid City – just in case their expertise is needed on scene.

Tessa Jaeger, public information officer for the Rapid City Fire Department, said the task force training in tandem with the Sturgis Rally is not coincidental.

Jaeger said the inter-agency team brings skills from each corner of South Dakota.

Jaeger called SDTF-1 the “A-Team.”

Training for SDTF – 1 will take place at Pactola Reservoir next Thursday (Aug. 12) and can be viewed by the public from a safe distance.

Traffic has been heavy the past few days as motorcycles and travel trailers rumble into town.

City of Sturgis Public Information Officer Christina Steele says it has been busy downtown.

The vendor numbers are also ahead of last year, as Steele says there is no cap on how many licenses can be distributed, and there are many that are still pending approval.

Steele says at last count, there were 383 vendor licenses issued, but expects that number to easily surpass 400 as the official start draws near.

She says it’s the early stages of vendors opening up. However, as space is taken up, the unprepared vendors may run into issues finding a spot to vend. Whereas, seasoned vendors have figured out locations upwards to a year in advance.

Opening ceremony is 12pm Friday.