After the Longmont Downtown Development Authority announced Monday that the annual Cruise Night along Main Street would be canceled, locals responded in anger and some have indicated they intend to make Saturday night one to remember anyway.
The decision was made to cancel the event after discussions with Boulder County Public Health, said Colin Argys, marketing and events specialist for LDDA. People driving in their cars was less of an issue than those gathering along the streets to watch the cruise.
“Our major concern was large gatherings of spectators on the street,” Argys said. “There was no way to ensure that it could be done in compliance with health mandates.”
News of the cancelation prompted protests from Facebook users who have been looking forward to the annual cruise, especially after the novel coronavirus kept much of Longmont closed for several months. Several members of the Facebook group Longmont Cruise Night commented with plans to hit the streets Saturday night despite the cancellation.
Group members suggested showing up en masse to protest the cancellation, arguing the city could not arrest or punish everyone. Others suggested moving the cruise further north to avoid downtown.
Longmont Public Safety is encouraging residents to heed state recommendations and follow the law concerning cruising and safe driving. If residents do gather on Saturday for the cruise, police anticipate increased traffic and a higher number of accidents, said Deputy Chief Jeff Satur.
“We live in a community where 99% of the residents comply with the law and would encourage others to do the same,” Satur said. “We ask residents to think about their safety and the safety of others during COVID.”
Satur also reminded people that Main Street is reduced to one lane in each direction between Third and Sixth avenues as part of an effort to provide a boost to COVID-bit downtown businesses by allowing the use of adjacent parking and the closed lanes for expanded sales, event or dining space.
Cruising in Longmont is illegal without a city-approved waiver, Satur said.
Main Street on Saturday also will be the site of a sidewalk sale and an ArtWalk Longmont Summer on the Streets event. Both events aim to encourage people to wander downtown and visit businesses and support artists impacted by COVID-19.
Members of the Longmont Cruise Night Facebook group expressed anger over those events being held while the cruise was canceled.
