Courtesy photos Draggin Main saw classic cars drive from the Movie Manor in Monte Vista to North Clear Creek Falls and back to Downtown Monte Vista for a block party on Saturday, June 3. The event supported the San Luis Valley 4-H Scholar Support Program.

MONTE VISTA — It was a beautiful morning on June 3, with just the right amount of sunshine and breeze to rev up everyone’s engines, as Draggin Main took place and begin on one end of town, with a breakfast and concession stand at the Star Drive-In, and ended with crowds returning from a scenic drive to join a block party that was in full swing in Downtown Monte Vista on Adams Street, complete with live music from musical group ‘Ol Scratch.”

The idea for Draggin Main came from Larry “The Animal” Garner. Garner put the event together to make and donate money to the San Luis Valley 4-H Scholar Support Program, through a registered charity called SLV Fast Friends.

Garner was originally going to host an event he called Draggin on Dirt. The event would have featured the old-style dirt drag racing cars. As Garner investigated some of the legalities for Draggin on Dirt though, he found it next to impossible to obtain insurance for the event and changed the event to Draggin Main. Draggin Main would not require insurance, and attendees could bring their classic cars, enjoy a nice scenic drive, and could enter a 50/50 drawing, and possibly win some money for registering and entering.

On Saturday morning, many drivers showed up with regular and classic cars, at the Movie Manor, and many bought t-shirts made by Wayne Pacheco with Windowmaker Apparel, that read “Draggin Main.” Participants put their t-shirts on, registered their vehicles and passengers, for a $20 fee and lined up to leave on the drive. The registration was also the entrance into the 50/50 drawing. Participants departed by 10 a.m., for a drive to North Clear Creek Falls on the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway above Creede. Once at the falls, participants had their entries validated by Tim Cantrell, then headed back down Highway 149.

There were many stops along the way for participants to enjoy while on the drive, including Carther's Roadhouse in Del Norte, where old vintage cars had been parked out front for spectators to view, in lieu of the event. Many of the drivers stopped in Del Norte. Others parked or walked around and visited downtown Creede, where the town was quite full of people window shopping and talking. Quite a few drivers stopped at Freemon's General Store for burgers and ice cream, enjoying lunch in between the validation and the drive back to town.

All participants in the drive had until 5 p.m. to return to town for the block party, where the 50/50 drawing took place. Over 30 vehicles made the drive and registered for the drawing, along with a few other vehicles who were just along for the drive. The winner of the 50/50 drawing won $400 with the other $400 being donated to SLV 4-H Scholar Support Program.

Garner did not have a full count on the other money that was made from the event but will release that information when it is available. Garner is hoping to present the SLV 4-H Scholar Support Program with a substantial amount of money to benefit 4-H kids in the Valley.

Ol Scratch donated their fee to the SLV 4-H Scholar Program too. There were approximately 200 people in attendance at the block party throughout the day.

Garner, who hosted the event, was happy with the outcome.

“SLV Fast Friends is a registered charity in the State of Colorado. Starting out as Fast Friends in 2008, the group has raised thousands of dollars for children-related causes in the San Luis Valley, along with helping finance the Monte Vista skate park,” Garner said. “We have also raised funds to assist families of seriously ill and terminally ill children in the area. Some of our members have been doing this kind of work for over 35 years.”

Garner said he feels “Draggin Main” was a success. The OptiMystics Citizens Action Network was one of event’s major sponsors. Raffle tickets were sold, for many door prizes, including one for over $500, to further add to the cash being donated to the SLV 4-H Scholar Support program. Many vendors donated prizes.

“Thanks to the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network, the LOR Foundation, the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, the City of Monte Vista, the Rio Grande County Tourism Board, Best Western Movie Manor, and all the sponsors and supporters who contributed money and or services to make this event happen. There were folks here from at least 4 states. It was a success,” Garner said.

Mark Renshaw of the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network said, “I had a great time. Some new ideas also surfaced for future festivals.”

Roy Aiken, who was the announcer during “Draggin Main” said, “We may not have drawn the numbers we would have liked, but people know there's a new thing in Monte in June. By our experience with every other festival we have supported, they only get bigger year after year.”

The mayor’s wife Jennifer Becker also attended the block party and stated, “As a lifelong community member, I cannot express how much events like this mean to me. They remind me of the old days when our summers were filled with events on Adams Street. It brings such joy to my heart to see our community enjoying our beautiful downtown.”

The event was also good for local merchants. Jennifer Graves who has her own Art Studio downtown said, “Best day ever. I couldn’t even get out my door for the event, I was so busy. I had the most people through my door and my biggest money day since opening. Thanks everyone.”