The 25th Annual Main Event Car Show and Cruise took over Downtown Artesia this past weekend. The cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles and bicycles brought new life from decades past into the streets and parking lots from Roselawn Avenue to Fifth Street between Main Street and Texas Avenue as the community gathered to celebrate good food, quality craftsmanship, and a family friendly atmosphere.
Though attendance fell short of the Chamber of Commerce’s goal of 300 registrants, the Chamber and the Artesia Car Enthusiasts (ACE) were happy to report a second record-breaking year with 268 vehicles turning out for the event.
In the opinion of ACE President Terry Todd, participation fell short only due to the strong New Mexico spring wind which reached up to 30 mph at several points during the day and was reported by both event planners, vendors, car enthusiasts and community members to have been the only downside to the otherwise gleaming chrome weekend.
In other communities the wind may have proven an obstacle to success, but Todd further explained the weather only highlighted the commitment of the community to the event’s success, stating city workers were on site by 6:30 a.m. with a truck full of sandbags to ensure the barricades would remain in place throughout the day. Todd wished to thank Artesia MainStreet (AMS), the Chamber of Commerce, as well as “the whole community from the mayor’s office down.”
Jessica Bollema of the Chamber of Commerce and Morgan Fox, executive director of AMS, echoed Todd’s comments.
Bollema explained, “It takes so many volunteers to pull the car show off, I can’t say thank you enough to AMS and ACE. I love the collaboration we have with them.”
Fox stated, “Once again Car Show participants, volunteers, vendors and guests astound Artesia MainStreet with their willingness to enjoy the things our community brings to downtown. We deeply appreciate everyone who came out to support the Main Event Car Show and Cruise. A sincere thanks to our food vendors for sticking it out and serving with a smile!
“We cannot wait for next year. Also, mark your calendars for June 15 – the Permian Basin Celebration, with an entire day of festivities waiting for you: Flag Day and Oilfield Equipment Parade, Kids’ Zone at The Derrick Floor with foam, food and music, Oilfield Olympics, food trucks, and an evening concert featuring the Bart Crow Band. It’s a celebration 100 years in the making.”
According to Todd the Main Event has created a quality show that has begun attracting car enthusiasts from far and wide. A vehicle from California won the first-ever “longest distance” prize for the registrant who travelled the furthest, thanks to a donation from The Good Guys. The Car Show also raffled off a 1928 Ford Model A pickup, donated by Mike Deans and won by Mark Brewer, and awarded prizes for third place and Best of Show for the first time.
AWARD WINNERS
Best in Show
• Larry Blevins, Las Cruces – “Dad’s ’53,” 1953 Chevrolet 3100 pickup
1920s
• 1st – Joe Ontiveros – 1929 Ford Model A P/U Closed Cab
• 2nd – Lupe Cabezuela – 1929 Ford A
• 3rd – Perry L. Daily – 1928 Ford Model A/Original
1930s
• 1st – Mike Herrera – 1933 Chevrolet Eagle Master
• 2nd – Ronnie & Peggy Massey – 1937 Ford 3 Window Coupe
• 3rd – Myron Griffin – 1932 Ford 5W CPE
1940s
• 1st – George Franco – 1947 Chevrolet Pick-up
• 2nd – Brian Mundell – 1940 Ford Business Coupe
• 3rd – Robert Brooks – 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe
1950s
• 1st – George Franco – 1957 Chevrolet Belair
• 2nd – Jerry Sherrell – 1958 Chevrolet Impala
• 3rd – Larry Blevins – 1953 Chevy Pickup 3100
1960s
• 1st – Daniel Magby – 1966 Chevrolet C10
• 2nd – George Franco – 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
• 3rd – 1968 Chevrolet C-10
1970s
• 1st – Manny Fabela – 1977 Ford F-150 dentside
• 2nd – Billy Steelman – 1972 Ford F-100
• 3rd – Troy Yarbrough – 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
1980s
• 1st – Daniel Magby – 1986 Chevrolet K10
• 2nd – Eric Tovar – 1985 Chevrolet C-10
• 3rd – Armando Novoa – 1981 Chevrolet El Camino
Motorcycles
• 1st – Arrianna Varela – 2012 Harley Davidson Soft tail Deluxe
• 2nd – Roger Cullins – 2006 Wildwest Custom Motorcycle
• 3rd – Damion Rodriguez – 2009 Harley Davidson Street Glide
Tractors
• 1st – Ralf Cunningham – 1955 Allis Chamblers G
Bicycles
• 1st – Aaron Vasquez – 2009 Twisted Low Rider Bicycle
• 2nd – Infinity Fernandez – 2024 Pedal Car
• 3rd – Vicente Fernandez – 2024 Lowrider Bicycles
Rat Rod
• 1st – Kenneth Peyton – 1948 Pickup Rat Rod
• 2nd – Peter Renken – 1942 Chevrolet Pickup
Everything Else Under the Sun
• 1st – Devon Grado – 2002 Ford Lightning
Best Dressed
• The Magbys – Totally rad ’80s gear with 1986 Chevrolet K10