Cruise lines plan to show up at Williamson Road, despite annual cruise cancellation

ROANOKE, Virginia. – Car enthusiasts are trying to continue a tradition this Friday.

Officials announced earlier this year that the annual Williamson Road Cruise was moving away from the area due to crime concerns.

Star City Motor Madness has moved the official event to the Roanoke Transportation Museum.

Joe Robertson loves driving up and down Williamson Road, so when he learned Star City Motor Madness was moving the annual cruise, you could say he was disappointed.

“When they backed out a few months ago, we were all very upset,” Robertson said. “Everyone was talking about continuing to go out. »

Robertson decided to lead the effort to keep it that way.

“It’s just something that we need to continue because it’s a tradition that’s been in the Roanoke Valley for years,” Robertson said.

Not everyone thinks this is a good idea.

“I understand what happened here in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, everyone had a good time driving their cars on the road, but in recent years things have taken a different turn,” Valerie Brown, Director,” said Director of the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association. “People were getting drunk and driving drunk or brandishing guns.”

Roanoke City Police said they plan to attend both cruise events Friday, ready to protect the public.

“We had a lot of reckless driving last year, which led us to engage in law enforcement efforts with the Virginia State Police and the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office, where we “We’re going to be very strict about enforcing the law when it comes to reckless driving and any type of driving that could put the community at risk,” said Sgt.

Star City Motor Madness takes place Friday at the Transportation Museum from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Meanwhile, the community event on Williamson Road will take place at the same time.

Star City Motor Madness is hosting a second event Saturday in downtown Roanoke from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.