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Back to The Strip rides again this weekend after rain
Back to The Strip original
Lacy Garrison photo Steve Biles and his son, Alyx Smith, proudly stand beside their 1971 Super Sport Camaro with their friend Foxy displayed on the intake during the Back to The Strip car show Saturday morning. They finished second. Due to rain cutting the event short and hurting participation, the ride The Strip portion only will take place again this Saturday, May 12, beginning at 5 p.m.

Motorists don’t have to wait another year to cruise The Strip.

Because rain greatly dampened participation last weekend, organizers are holding Back to The Strip again this weekend. The event will only involve riding The Strip, not any other activities. It’s set to begin at 5 p.m. this Saturday, May 12.

“We were really, really surprised how many people rode The Strip in the rain, but there was probably only 10 percent of the people sitting in lawn chairs and we know that’s a big part of it too,” said Chris Terry, one of the organizers. “We made the decision we’re going to go ahead and do it again this weekend so everyone can enjoy it.”

Canned food donations will be accepted in the Foodland Plus parking lot beginning at 5 p.m. and T-shirts will be for sale. Canned food is donated to Meals on Wheels.

The top three winners from last weekend’s car show are: 1) Womack Transport, 2) Steve Biles, and 3) Vann Lawson. They will be featured on the Back to The Strip T-shirt in 2019.

As for traffic enforcement, McMinnville officers issued 18 citations during Saturday’s Back to The Strip, while the Highway Patrol arrested one for driving while intoxicated.

More than half the citations issued by local law enforcement were for adults violating the state’s seatbelt law that requires all drivers and front-seat passengers to be property restrained. Officers found 11 were not.

Also, two citations were written for improper restraint of a child.

“As the event has increased in popularity, the incidents of mischief have decreased, so that’s a good thing,” said McMinnville Police Chief Bryan Denton. “We will continue to support the event and always encourage participants to have a fun experience while supporting a great cause.”

Officers stopped three for careless driving. While that action can include a variety of activities, these stops were for burnouts/spinning tires. One citation was written, and two warnings given.

Rounding out other citations given: two for texting and driving, one for driving without a license, and one for no insurance.

Altogether, 23 traffic stops were made by McMinnville Police.