Classic cars and trucks will hit the roads of Lethbridge over the next few days.
The annual Street Machine Weekend is set for July 10-12, with events like the Classic Car Controlled Cruise along 3 Avenue South on Friday, the 100-Foot Dash on Saturday, and the Lethbridge Show and Shine capping off the three-day festivity at Galt Gardens on Sunday.
READ MORE: Lethbridge revs up for the return of ‘Street Machine Weekend’ in July
Residents will likely notice more police officers and vehicles out throughout the weekend. The Lethbridge Police Service will deploy additional resources and team with its policing partners to ensure all road rules are followed, and everyone is able to safely enjoy the fun.
Acting Sgt. Barent Goodrich with the Traffic Response Unit said the service is excited about the influx of tourism that comes with the Street Machine Weekend.
However, the LPS is aware of increased risks that come with the amount of people and vehicles on the city’s major roads.
“We are working in direct partnership with our Alberta Sheriffs branch, as well as our partners at Blood Tribe Police Service to provide a robust enforcement model to ensure that all users of the road for the weekend, as well as pedestrians are able to enjoy the weekend in a safe manner,” Goodrich said.
He added the annual vehicle showcase does tend to be a busy weekend for officers.
“There’s been upwards of [between] 10,000 to 20,000 people so that definitely provides an additional strain on our resources when those negative [driving] behaviours do take place.”
Goodrich noted that the LPS has a positive relationship with the car enthusiast community of Lethbridge, and the weekend is a chance to maintain that strong connection.
“It is, again, bringing business to our community as well as an enjoyable weekend that we have, and it highlights our beautiful city,” he said. “We just have to make sure that everyone who is using the road is using it in a safe manner.”
He added, “The safety of the road is incumbent upon each user of the road to make sure that they share the road in a proper and appropriate manner”.
PAST INCIDENTS
The LPS noted that in years past, Mayor Magrath Drive, 3 Avenue South and other corridors in the city have been affected by significant increases in speeding, stunting, racing, burnouts and other traffic offences.
Police added that open liquor consumption by both spectators and drivers is a concern, and has led to violation tickets being issued, vehicles being towed, roadside sanctions, and criminal charges.
During the 2025 event, police issued 286 violation tickets and 34 warnings. Police said most of these incidents involved stunting, speeding, and equipment violations.
Additionally, charges were laid for impaired driving and assault, with nine vehicles towed, one outstanding warrant executed, a license being suspended, two Immediate Roadside Sanction Cautions issued, as well as an IRS refusal being issued.
More details about Street Machine Weekend are on the Street Wheelers Car Club website.
