Car, music shows featured events at ethnic fair

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo LeDonna Dawson with Sahai Yoga and daughter Olivia Ballard dance to African drum music played by musical group Agalu at the Ethnic Fair.

Those looking for classic cars and cultural music made sure to attend the Ethnic Fair on Main Street Saturday.

Event organizer Selmus Price said most attending showed particular interest in the car show and the variety of musical acts.

Price said because the event is free, there is no way of counting how many Clovisites came to Main Street for the fair. However, high participation in the car show and a call for more bleachers in front of the stage indicated to him attendance was up from last year’s event.

“It’s been more of a steady crowd this year,” Price said. “More people are staying for longer to listen to the music and watch the performers.”

Price said the event, hosted by the Clovis Cultural and Ethnic Affairs Committee, focuses on bringing different cultures together.

The music most clearly portrayed that goal with acts including belly dancing, African drums, Navajo and Flamenco dancers.

Trista Shrock of Clovis said it was nice to experience the different types of music.

“We like it. It’s nice weather and there’s a lot to look at,” she said. “It’s great that the event brings different stuff that’s going on.”

Shrock and her family made sure to inspect the about 50 classic cars in the Desert Cruzers car show.

A gleaming white 1962 Chevy Impala with red leather interior was among cars lining Main Street between Fifth and Sixth. Owner Cash Brown has traveled from his home in Houston, Texas to the Ethnic Fair since 2003.

“This is a good event for Clovis,” Brown said.

Brown, who calls himself a residual resident of Clovis, said he bought the car for $75 in 1975.

“I have the original bill of the sale to prove it,” he said with a laugh. “I guess it was just my day.”

Brown estimates the car is now worth $45,000 after he restored it and that he always wins first or second in any event he’s entered.

Just across the street sat an IMCA modified race car. Owner Curt Jones said he owns two race cars and he alternates entering them in the show.

Jones said the car races all over the region including Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Melissa Barela and her two children Terence and Abby also walked up and down the street looking at the cars.

Seven-year-old Abby said her favorite car was a bright yellow Mustang.

“Looking at the cars is my favorite part,” she said. “They’re cool.”