Car enthusiasts and police ready for return of Street Machine Weekend

By Lethbridge Herald on July 9, 2021.

Passengers in a convertible roll by in a parade of classic cars, hot rods, trucks, muscle cars and souped-up imports in the Friday Night Cruise as part of the 2019 Street Machine Weekend. Herald file photo by Ian Martens

The Lethbridge Police Service will make its presence known during the Street Machine Weekend coming up this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
According to a press release from the LPS it has assigned extra officers and provided extra resources to step up its enforcement efforts to crack down on stunting, racing and noise complaints associated with loud mufflers.
“The intention is not to put a damper on those drivers who are respectful of others on the roadway and those who live in the area,” the statement from the police force reads.
The press release goes on to confirm police will be strongly exercising their authority under Section 66 of the Traffic Safety Act, which allows officers to do on-scene vehicle inspections.
“Those found to have equipment violations can have their registration and licence plate seized and their vehicle towed,” it reads.
Street Wheelers president Alex Dewar expected most of the traffic for tonight’s uncontrolled cruise – which will run from 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. until roughly midnight – to take place on Mayor Magrath Drive.
“Last year we found there was a ton of traffic on Mayor Magrath and not so much on Third Avenue,” he said. “But with the construction on Third Avenue this year I think Mayor Magrath will be the hot spot.”
With the police presence, Dewar called for members to respect the rules of the road.
“Even though (the cruise is) not a direct affiliation with the club, the police are going to be looking for offenders. As club, we want to enforce following the rules of the road the best people can.”
The Street Machine Weekend Poker Run takes place Saturday in the Pure Casino Lethbridge parking lot. All special interest cars are welcome.
Registration takes place from 10 a.m. to noon with the event running 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is $20 per car with all proceeds going to charity.
Prizes are available and will be given away Sunday at the Show And Shine.
The Show And Shine gets going at 10 a.m. Sunday at Galt Gardens and runs until 3 p.m. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and is $10 per car.