Smooth sailing for Draggin' Main

Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Draggin’ Main organizers said the attendance for the third annual event eclipsed previous estimates of 8,000 to 10,000 visitors.

This past Saturday, the Third Annual Draggin’ Main came to a finish. As crowds cleared, they left with an experience of nostalgia and fun.

Starting the weekend was a drive-in showing of the movie “American Graffiti” on a large screen in Clovis High School’s parking lot Friday night.

Though this was the first time that such an event has been held, one of the event organizers, Gene Porter, said that the process went smoothly.

The structure of the pop-up drive-in theater was planned so that there wouldn’t be a traffic jam, and with around 150 cars full of people coming in to watch the movie, Porter said that it went off without a hitch.

He said “American Graffiti” was just old enough that teenagers hadn’t watched it, yet they were still watching with interest.

Saturday morning started out with the Draggin’ Main car show which hosted 170 participants against last years 145. The contest is decided by the participants, with awards going to the top 10 cars. There were many contestants who brought in their classic cars and motorcycles to show off to the attendees.

Finishing off the event was the annual drag down Main. This year there was the addition of live music along with a new route that the organizers hoped would account for the anticipated increase in attendance. Porter spoke of the drag down Main, saying that “downtown was jammed ... there were more people this year than there has ever been.”

He went on to describe the sight with the route being covered with cars, moving slowly, bumper to bumper.

Though local police had a heavy presence at this year’s event, things stayed rather calm and upbeat, with no arrests taking place.

Porter summed up the event saying that he was “really thrilled with this years turnout and participation. I wanted everyone to have a good and safe time.”