ROANOKE, Va. – A major Star City tradition is pumping the brakes this year.
Organizers have announced that the annual Williamson Road ‘cruise-in’ won’t be kicking off Star City Motor Madness this summer due to crime concerns. For the last two decades, the popular event has traditionally occurred on a Friday in June, followed by a massive car show on Saturday, all of which supported the Virginia Museum of Transportation and other local charities. However, this year, Roanoke will be seeing some changes when it comes to the 2-day weekend automotive celebration.
Organizers said over the years, they have seen an increase in issues with potentially dangerous behavior on Cruise Night. In addition to this, they say other groups outside of the cruise, including gangs, have crept into the event and posed a threat to safety.
All of this also places an undue burden upon Roanoke City Police who have done a stellar job of working with us throughout the years, as have officials and staff of Roanoke City. It must also be said that the current leadership of the Williamson Road Area Business Association has positioned itself against the traditional cruise night, despite being a long-time supporter under previous management. Consequently, and after much consideration, Star City Motor Madness has reached the difficult decision of ending the traditional Friday night cruise-in.
Star City Motor Madness
10 News reached out to Roanoke City Police who said they were involved in the decision to cancel the cruise in.
Members of the Roanoke Police Department, along with other department leaders from the City of Roanoke (to include the City Attorney, the Director of the Transportation Division, community stakeholders, and business leaders), met with the organizers of the Star City Motor Madness to discuss plans regarding its annual Williamson Road Cruise Night.
We know that Williamson Road Cruise Night is well-loved by our community and most of those coming to this event are not there to cause issues, but there are some individuals and groups that are not directly associated with the event that have caused issues that led to an increase in disorders and reckless driving in the past. The group discussed several options to improve safety for the event, including plans to add more structure and/or change the location. Ultimately, event organizers chose to host the event at the Virginia Transportation Museum and include several other attractions for participants and spectators to enjoy.
Roanoke City Police
The Greater Williamson Road Business Association shared with 10 News they were also apart of the decision, and are pleased with the changes.
Executive Director Valerie Brown said businesses and neighbors on Williamson Road use to support the cruise in night, but time have changed and recent years have brought many dangers and destruction to the event.
As a result, Brown said many businesses have even started closing early the night of the cruise in and blocking off property to try and stop people from trespassing.
“We support the whole idea and the concept of cruise in night but it is not what it was back in the day. It is not what it was five years ago, eight years ago even10 years ago. And certainly not the way it was envisioned,” said Brown.
Car enthusiasts who have been a part of the cruise night for years said they’re disappointed to see the actions of a few people ruin the event for the majority.
“Why associate us with everything bad when everything we’re doing is just showing up and hanging out? And the actions of a few people do not put us in a bad light,” said car enthusiast, Carl Jones.
Especially when the cruise means so much to the car-loving community.
“I know people that work on their cars all year for this night. It’s not just a regular night for car people,” said another car enthusiast, Ben Harrison
Although Cruise Night is driving off into the sunset, there will be a new Star City Motor Madness Kickoff Party that will take place instead on Friday night. It’ll feature a car show, food trucks, and a live concert that’ll be held at the Virginia Museum of Transportation. There won’t be any changes to the car show on Saturday and it will still be held downtown as usual.
The 23rd annual event is set to return during the last weekend in June.
“Star City Motor Madness truly appreciates the tremendous support Cruise Night has received from automotive enthusiasts and car clubs who participated in the event. We also deeply appreciate the years of support from Roanoke City Police, Public Works, Traffic Engineering, and others. It’s been a team effort, and it still is.”
