Galveston prepares for visitors despite Lone Star Rally cancellation

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Organizers of what's billed as the largest four-day bike rally in America may have canceled this month's Lone Star Rally back in July, but that's not stopping city officials from preparing for an influx of visitors.

Galveston city workers said they're ready to shut down streets in The Strand if crowds show up this weekend.

While the rally was called off for 2020, Galveston is still ready to welcome visitors who take safety precautions like wearing masks and keep their distance from each other.

RELATED: Galveston's Lone Star Rally canceled due to COVID-19

The Lone Star Rally draws an estimated 500,000 visitors to the island each year since 2003.

The event was set for Nov. 5 - 8. Now, rally organizers are looking ahead to 2021.

"We look forward to 2021 and promise next year's rally will be worth the wait," organizers said in a statement in July.

While there's no rally this year, city officials said visitors should take note of a few rules any time they come to Galveston: Wear a mask, social distance, and there's no overnight parking on the Seawall.

On Friday, the city elaborated on preparations, adding Galveston police staffing will be similar to a summer weekend. An official provided this statement:

"The event at the fairgrounds is separate and unaffiliated with the Lone Star Rally. The organizers for Lone Star Rally canceled earlier this summer, but we are expecting visitors throughout the weekend who otherwise would have been here for the rally. We know many people already had trips booked and it's a beautiful weekend on the island. GPD staffing will be similar to a summer weekend. I don't want to speak for the business owners. We hope it will be a safe and enjoyable weekend for everyone, and we always encourage visitors to support our many local businesses."

FROM 2019: Lone Star motorcycle rally to crowd Galveston all weekend

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