The calculations continue regarding the attendance and financial numbers for the Sturgis North Motorcycle Rally and Music Festival held in Salmon Arm July 13 to 17.
Joan Hansen, vice-president of Sturgis North, issued a press release Tuesday, noting that information is still being compiled.
“The SN bikes were returned last week as well as the three tills and Visa machine that were stolen from the fall fairgrounds. The unfortunate thing is that the information on these tills was part of our final balance for numbers as well as the beer gardens… and although we have recovered most of the information, we will not know for at least two weeks what the final outcome is and we are able to complete the balance of our books,” she wrote.
She told the Observer in a follow-up phone call that the organization’s charity manager is going through all the books and receivables and, at this point, has a $5,500 cheque for BC Children’s Hospital, with more possible for the cancer society.
Regarding people who may be awaiting payment in Salmon Arm, she said the organization is still waiting for money it’s owed.
“We fully plan on paying everybody. It should not be anyone’s concern. We will not, absolutely not, be leaving anybody hanging without being paid.”
In the press release, she thanked all those who helped make the event memorable. She also said many false claims have been made against the organization, one being that organizers fled town.
“During the festival, the owner’s son was admitted into the hospital where he remained until two days after the infection that was very serious. The owner spent the last day of the festival at his bedside.”
Hansen said verbal attacks and thefts have made them wonder if they should return to Salmon Arm, but she says for the most part they loved the people and were treated with respect.
Although RCMP investigated the missing items mentioned, police didn’t term the incidents theft.