Gearing up again

CLOVIS – They're back. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the Clovis Music Festival the past two years and forced Draggin' Main into a more informal gathering. But with the disease mostly in our rear-view mirrors, the summertime events that attract some of Clovis' larger crowds return this week.

There's no need to travel anywhere for entertainment this week, Chamber of Commerce event coordinator Kim Tipton said.

"Why travel when you can have a great time here?" Tipton said. "When you support local events we can bring more events to Clovis."

Draggin' Main begins today with a "Funday" from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rib Crib restaurant, 4020 N. Prince St.

The Clovis Music Festival starts at 7 p.m. Thursday with a free Christian music concert by Danny Gokey at Legacy Church at the corner of Llano Estacado Blvd. and Norris St.

Clovis' Draggin' Main is an "all things related to cars" event, said co-founder and organizer Gene Porter.

"It's a non-discriminatory motor event: Cars, bikes, trucks, tractors, cheap, expensive, unfinished, finished, vintage, classic, new, old."

Porter organized the original Draggin' Main with Bryan Boone nine years ago.

After today's "Funday," it's Draggin' Main's "Tour of Classic Restaurants," nightly get-togethers at restaurants around Clovis: Foxy's Drive-In Monday night, Taco Box Tuesday night, Twin Cronnies Wednesday and Weinerschnitzel Thursday night.

Friday night there's a block party, on Main Street.

Porter said the party will have a show car cruise with what he called unique cars "that don't normally do the cruise."

He said there'll be bike games, a motorcycle stunt team called Globe of Death Squad or GODS, nostalgic funny cars, cars with "nitro methane" fueled motors in an event called "Cackle Fest."

Porter said the big day for Draggin' Main is Saturday, with the Gearhead Gathering from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Clovis' Hillcrest Park.

Porter described the Gearhead Gathering as a "family oriented car show of sorts." He said the show tries to cover "everything with a motor" including remote-controlled cars, airplanes and trucks.

Porter said fans of the TV show "Garage Squad" will be happy to know personality Joe Zolper will be at Draggin' Main.

The Clovis Music Festival begins Thursday. Nick Mondragon with the Clovis Curry County Chamber of Commerce said the first Clovis Music Festival happened in 1987.

Over the years the event has featured well-known performers and groups, up-and-comers in the music world, artists who perform in tribute to artists that include Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper and more.

"After three years of waiting for 38 Special, we finally got them," said Tipton, the event coordinator. "Not a cover band, the real deal."

38 Special is the headline act for Friday night's music festival concert at the Curry County Events Center. Opening act Friday night is the local band, "Rouzter." Doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m.

Saturday night's headline act is La Maquinaria Norteña with opening act La Furia del Bravo. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m.

Tipton said tickets are available online at clovisnm.org.