Saturday, May 17 from 2 until 9 pm, downtown Christiansburg will again transform as it hosts the first of four car cruise in events scheduled over the spring and summer.
Over 30 groups representing Christiansburg and Cambria businesses and non-profits are participating in this "test drive" for the first of four downtown street festivals featuring vintage cars driven by
Grand Classic Cruiser and other car enthusiasts.
Dale Echols, Grand Classic Cruiser coordinator, agreed to partner in bringing what has become a summer staple to the historic downtown district. "We get a lot of car owners from all over, and the little kids seem to get as big a kick out of these events as do the adults," Echols said. He indicated this first event could be expected to draw at least 200 cars, more if the weather is cooperative. Many businesses or non-profits will be extending normal Saturday hours and offer specials deals or sidewalk sales, while others licensed in the town are joining in and setting up downtown.
The four downtown "
Cruisin' Christiansburg" event dates include May 17, June 14, July 19 and August 23. A specially designed tee-shirt has been made to commemorate these events and was sponsored by eight businesses. Another corporate sponsor donated the street banner which will be displayed over West Main Street the week before each event, with an additional four sponsors supporting all event dates and music performances. Many in-kind donations by area businesses have also supported the planning of these festivals, with hundreds of volunteer hours spent on the project. These events are also supported through a $1500 Tourism Development Council grant.
West Main Street will be closed from Town Square at Franklin Street, to just past Dunkley Street. Hickok Street will have limited traffic between First and College Streets. Street closures will begin at noon. Public parking is available at the nearby municipal parking lots and on most side streets.
Event organizers include the Town of Christiansburg's Central Business District Committee, Christiansburg Parks & Recreation, Historic Cambria and Downtown Christiansburg Partnership (HCDCP), and the
Montgomery Museum and Lewis Miller Regional Art Center. The HCDCP is also working with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce on the 2008
Wilderness Trail Festival planning, in the hopes of aligning and expanding event dates and venues in 2009 and beyond.
Folks should take a drive through Cambria on Saturday, also, as many of those locally owned businesses will be celebrating small town life, too. Check out the historic Christiansburg Depot and see a piece of our community's heritage.