Draggin' Main returns with drive-in tour, block party

Jun. 10—Draggin' Main returns this week for its annual mix of good times, vintage cars, and reminiscing.

And just like those days back in the day, the cops will be there, too.

"The Clovis Police Department has always been supportive of events such as these, which draw our community together," Clovis Deputy Police Chief Trevor Thron wrote in an email.

Thron said events like Draggin' Main give officers an opportunity to "mix and mingle with the public on a more personal level, which is something we always enjoy."

That opportunity began this weekend with Saturday events at the Clovis Civic Center and today's gathering at Plains Regional Medical Center's parking lot.

Thron pointed out Draggin' Main has grown through the years.

"That comes with more and more logistical considerations for our public safety personnel to navigate. Like years past, the Clovis Police Department will have our command post on site, and we will have a mix of officers patrolling on foot and others in police vehicles," Thron wrote.

Thron wrote CPD's goal is for Draggin' Main to be successful for the organizers and fun for the community.

"As always, we will be there to stress safety and make sure that participants are adhering to our local and state laws while participating in the event," Thron wrote.

Thron noted in past Draggin' Main events, CPD cited participants and even made arrests for drinking and driving, drug use, doing vehicle burnouts, along with other violations.

"These types of activities can lead to crashes and other property damage that ruins the fun for others," Thron wrote.

Thron reiterated CPD wants to make sure "everyone is safe, so all participants can enjoy themselves without worrying about the very small subset of individuals who could potentially ruin it for others by behaving recklessly."

Monday begins the four-day "Classic Drive-in Tour." The Monday night the event takes place at Foxy's Drive-in at Seventh and Thornton streets.

"My son Freddie is putting it together. We're excited, we're ready," owner Chris Bryant said Thursday.

Bryant likes Draggin' Main because the event brings in a lot of people from around the area to visit the drive-ins, to see all the cars, and the opportunity to do something different.

Bryant dragged Main over 50 years ago in a 1966 El Camino he ended up selling.

"After high school I had a 1970 Plymouth 440 GTX. I ended up selling it and buying a Monte Carlo. I bought the first Monte Carlo available for sale in Clovis," Bryant said.

Thomas Martin said he dragged Main in Clovis in a 1971 VW Beetle.

Martin's Taco Box on West 21st Street is the location for Tuesday night on the Drive-in Tour.

"It's an honor to still be here, to represent everyone who used to drag Main. We have a big ol' parking lot to host it, it's fun," Martin said.

Martin believes "Draggin' Main" needs to be brought back anew.

"We need to bring it back for the high school kids, give them something to do," Martin said.

Walter Bradley, owner of Twin Cronnies Drive-In on Commerce Way, will be hosting Wednesday night on the drive-in tour.

"Being the oldest surviving drive-in in Clovis we think it's wonderful to go down memory lane remembering those wonderful nights," Bradley said.

Bradley graduated from Clovis High School in 1964.

Back then he dragged Main in a 1946 sedan "with a big flathead V-8, made a hot rod out of it. Big dumpster pipes so you'd get more combustion, four-barrel carb. Rolled and pleated interior."

And what about encounters with the police "back in the day" while draggin' Main?

"Well we don't talk about that," Bradley said, with a chuckle in his voice.

The last night of the drive-in tour will be at Weinerschnitzel at 13th and Main Streets in Clovis.

Jimmy Haley is the owner.

"I like all the people having fun. I'm grateful to the people who do all the hard work to put this on. It's a great event for the city of Clovis," Haley said.

Haley said it was around 1973 when he dragged Main.

"Of course I dragged Main, in a 1966 Pontiac Le Mans. Many thousands of trips up and down Main Street," Haley said.

Events continue after the Drive-in Tour.

Friday night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. it's the "Hittin' the Bricks Block Party" on Main Street featuring an aerial act, motocross and a dragster show.

Saturday it's the Gearhead Gathering at Hillcrest Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring a car show, motocross at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., dragster show at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and an aerial show at 11:45 a.m.

Draggin' Main wraps up with the Saturday Night Cruise on Main Street from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.