City council hears from locals who are planning new Gainesville events

At last week’s Gainesville City Council meeting, held Feb. 10 at City Hall, the council heard from three local residents who are in the process of planning new upcoming events. Each presenter had five minutes to speak about their proposal and make requests, which was later discussed and approved by the council during the new business portion of the meeting.

Gardners planning ‘Cruise In’ events at The Antler - Mike and Heather Gardner, owners of The Antler Pizza & Package in Gainesville, attended the meeting, asking permission to close part of Third Street beside the restaurant during monthly “cruise in” events. 

Mike said they are still working out the details, but they’re leaning toward doing the event once a month for four or five months during the spring and summer. 

As a classic car owner  himself, Mike says he’s already talked to a lot of people who would be interested in participating. He said he proposes that as many as 75 cars would be parked at an angle alongside the bluff line on Third Street, beside the restaurant for several hours, allowing people to walk around and admire them. 

He said the roadway could be used by emergency personnel if needed, but blocking the area off from regular traffic would help eliminate the danger for those admiring the vehicles with cars that frequently speed through there. 

The council approved the request, allowing a section of Third Street to be barricaded off during the events, as long as no other roads are impeded including Fourth Street and Harlin Drive.

Freemans planning March 29 car show on the square - Brixey resident Amy Freeman also addressed the council, explaining that she would like to host a car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, on the Gainesville square to raise funds for the Gainesville High School auto mechanics class, under the direction of Greg Zubrod, and other school groups, including the GHS Certified Nursing Assistant program.

Freeman said she and her husband, Adam, own Red Dirt Road Customs and Classics, a business where they buy, sell and restore custom vehicles. She said that

through operating their business and having children who attend Gainesville High School, they have become aware that programs such as auto mechanics and the CNA program could benefit from additional funding.

Freeman told the council that Red Dirt Road Customs and Classics would handle all payments and business transactions associated with the event. All proceeds generated would be donated from the company account directly to the Gainesville School, Freeman said.

Students from the participating programs will also be involved in the event and will assist with various tasks.

She added that the event will include food and prizes, all of which will be donated. Large trash bins will be brought in for the event, and the Freemans will remove and dispose of all trash off city property afterward. She added that they have already discussed insurance with their local agent, who offered to donate coverage for the event. 

Freeman said organizers are requesting to barricade three sides of the square: the east, west and north sides, to allow car show entries to park in areas where traffic will not interfere with spectators. She proposed that Third Street, which runs along the south side of the square, remain open so those attending Freedom Church will still have parking access and traffic can continue to flow.

The council agreed to the request.