Gearheads gearing up

CLOVIS - Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, last summer was a mulligan for pretty much any social event. This year is about recovery, and Draggin' Main is no exception.

After the pandemic wiped out all but an informal gathering last summer, the event celebrating Clovis' car culture is back again. The music festival that normally accompanies Draggin' Main was pushed back for a second year due to various concerns, but festival committee chair Thom Moore anticipates a 2021 celebration will be a great bridge to the full slate in 2022 while being special in its own way.

"We want to build on success," Moore said. "This is probably going to be the most successful car portion of a Draggin' Main event as far as things to do and family-oriented entertainment. I think the numbers are going to be huge."

The prime events take place Saturday, with the Gearhead Gathering from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Park, followed by the classic cruise up and down Main Street starting at 5 p.m. and lasting the rest of the evening.

"We don't know how many people attend this thing," Moore said, "but we have drone footage that tells us it's in the tens of thousands. It's a real shot in the arm economically to a lot of Clovis businesses."

The weeklong event starts Monday with the first of four nightly events at local drive-thrus, and festivities switch between Hillcrest Park and Main Street over the weekend.

Starting at 5:15 p.m. Friday, the inaugural Hillcrest Game Run and Party in the Park will commence, with motorcyclists and classic car drivers sent throughout the city in a format similar to a poker run.

They'll return just before 7 p.m. for the Party in the Park, with giveaways and music from Chek Rippee.

Food trucks should be plenty busy. They'll begin at 11 a.m. Friday on the 800 block of Main for Clovis MainStreet's weekly Food Truck Friday event, then head to Hillcrest for the Party in the Park. They'll stay for the Gearhead Gathering, then head back to Main Street to feed the Saturday night cruisers.

Lisa Pellegrino-Spear, executive director of Clovis MainStreet, is optimistic three Main Street entities - the State Theater, Red Door's outdoor taproom and Roosevelt Brewery's new Clovis location - will have Friday night grand openings that aren't technically part of Draggin' Main. Pellegrino-Spear noting the State Theater is looking at a ticketed music event.

"It's a great time," Pellegrino-Spear said, "to be celebrating our downtown entrepreneurs in conjunction with the Draggin' Main events."

The Gearhead Gathering will feature Steve Darnell of "Vegas Rat Rods" and Heather Storm of "Garage Squad" making celebrity appearances, and Moore believes a large contingent from the Harley Owners Group will also be on hand.

"We're anticipating 250-300 motorcycles, in addition to at least 350 to 400 cars," Moore said. " By the time we actually have the Gear-head Gathering, we'll have 12 to 15 food vendors."

Moore said all events associated with Draggin' Main are free, with the exception of food purchases or the merchandise trailer that will set up shop at each event.