Revving Up Responsibility: Can Kalispell's Cruising Culture Shift Gears?
There’s something undeniably nostalgic about the rumble of a classic car cruising down Main Street. It’s a slice of Americana, a throwback to a simpler time when chrome gleamed under streetlights and the open road promised freedom. But in Kalispell, Montana, this cherished tradition has hit a speed bump—or rather, a series of reckless burnouts, coal-rolling, and late-night noise complaints. The question now is: Can the community reclaim its cruising culture without sacrificing safety, sanity, or its small-town charm?
The Clash of Chrome and Complaints
At the heart of the issue is a tension between tradition and disruption. The Downtown Forward Coalition, alongside cruising enthusiasts, is attempting to strike a balance. Personally, I think this is a classic case of a community trying to honor its past while addressing the very real concerns of its present. Lorraine Clarno, president of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, puts it aptly: ‘We don’t want to stop cruising. We want it to be safe, family-oriented, and not harm businesses downtown.’ What makes this particularly fascinating is the coalition’s approach—they’re not just shutting down the activity; they’re trying to restore it to its roots.
But here’s the rub: the cruising scene has evolved. What was once a celebration of vintage cars and camaraderie has, in part, devolved into a spectacle of reckless driving. Residents like Joseph Biby, who lives on First Avenue East, paint a stark picture: ‘It’s no longer vintage cars and *American Graffiti—it’s speeding, reckless driving, and adolescents chasing each other.’* From my perspective, this isn’t just about noise or traffic; it’s about a community grappling with the unintended consequences of a beloved tradition.
The Human Side of the Engine Roar
One thing that immediately stands out is Jodie Cross’s defense of cruising. As a real estate agent and advocate, she argues that cruising offers young people a constructive outlet. ‘I’d rather have them dumping their money into a piece of crap Ford than into drugs and alcohol,’ she says. This raises a deeper question: What role does cruising play in the lives of Kalispell’s youth? What many people don’t realize is that for some kids, these Friday nights are more than just a joyride—they’re a sense of belonging, a distraction from difficult home lives.
Cross even suggests building a sanctioned drag strip, pointing to Anaconda’s public strip as a model. It’s an intriguing idea, but I wonder: Would it truly divert the reckless behavior, or would it simply shift the problem elsewhere? If you take a step back and think about it, this proposal highlights the complexity of the issue. It’s not just about cars; it’s about people, priorities, and the limits of public space.
The Business of Burnouts
Downtown businesses are feeling the heat, too. The Kalispell Grand Hotel, for instance, has seen guests cut their stays short due to the noise. This isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a financial hit. What this really suggests is that the cruising culture, left unchecked, risks alienating the very community it’s meant to celebrate. A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of Kruise Kalispell, a nonprofit that organizes only a few events a year. The weekly cruises, it turns out, are largely unorganized—a fact that complicates efforts to regulate them.
Law and Order… or Something Else?
Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio sums it up well: ‘We don’t want to stop cruising, but there are significant concerns about reckless driving.’ The police have increased their presence, but enforcement alone might not be enough. Councilor Jed Fisher argues that most cruisers are respectful, and that the problem lies with a few bad actors. ‘If there’s an idiot doing something wrong, I hope they throw the book at him,’ he says. But is that enough?
What’s missing, in my opinion, is a broader strategy. Councilor Kyle Waterman, who represents downtown, enjoys cruising his 1967 Chevy but acknowledges the need for balance. His quip about idling quietly near Biby’s house is amusing, but it also underscores the challenge: How do you enforce respect without killing the spirit of the tradition?
The Road Ahead
If there’s one thing this debate reveals, it’s that cruising is more than just cars—it’s a cultural flashpoint. It reflects deeper tensions about community identity, youth engagement, and the management of public spaces. Personally, I think the coalition’s efforts to revive respectful cruising are a step in the right direction, but they’ll need more than goodwill to succeed.
Here’s a thought: What if cruising became a platform for community engagement? Imagine events that pair car shows with workshops for teens, or partnerships with local businesses to create a more inclusive atmosphere. What many people don’t realize is that traditions aren’t static—they evolve. Kalispell has a chance to redefine cruising for the 21st century, but it’ll require creativity, compromise, and a willingness to listen.
In the end, the roar of engines on Main Street isn’t just noise—it’s a conversation. And how Kalispell chooses to respond will say a lot about its values, its priorities, and its vision for the future.
