China Grove to close lane of Main Street for regular cruise-in

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 14, 2019

CHINA GROVE – The Town Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance closing the northbound lane of Main Street from N.C. 152/Church Street to Patterson Street for an upcoming cruise-in.

China Grove holds a cruise-in every other month.

The road closure will be temporary and only for the next cruise-in, scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

“We open southbound only. … No cars can enter northbound,” said cruise-in coordinator Patti Price.

According to Price, a cruise-in has been held in China Grove in April and June, and is planned for August and October of this year. This marks the fourth year of the regular cruise-ins, which are held the third Saturday of every other month, Price said.

“We encourage people to go and grab a bite downtown, do some shopping, and walk around,“ Price said.

Price described the community’s response to the cruise-ins as positive and supportive.

“We have everything from classic cars to muscle cars. … It’s a very fun, relaxed afternoon event. The community (often) comes out and supports the event,” she said.

Mayor Lee Withers offered words of praise for the cruise-ins as well.

“We probably have about 400 or 500 cars show up, not to mention how many people park just to walk around and look,” Withers said. “It’s probably one of the most cost-effective events (we have).”

In other business:

• The council adopted a resolution designating Saturday through Aug. 24 as “Creek Week” in Rowan County. Activities and programs are planned to encourage addressing important issues about water quality and water supply.

• The board discussed opportunity zones, which are the most recent effort by the federal government to encourage investment in low-income census tracts.

• The board received updates for the Police Department, Public Works Department, Administration Department and Fire Department.

• The board discussed recent events in China Grove such as National Night Out, which was a night of community fellowship, food, music, games, firetrucks and acquainting the community with police officers. It is a national community policing awareness event held the first Tuesday in August.