Weekend car show expected to bring crowds and congestion

Posted: Jun 17, 2010 11:11 PM by Ariel Wesler
Updated: Jun 18, 2010 2:43 PM

Traffic and parking have some residents in the Pismo Beach area grumbling when it comes to this weekend's car show. They along with police are getting ready for the crowds.

For the 25th Annual Pismo Beach Car Show this weekend, more cars on display will also mean more cars on the road.

"This has always been planned on Father's Day weekend and it's usually in conjunction or close to the graduations," said Terry Wecker, who's showing his car this year.

"125,000 people in a city of 10,000 and you try to move the traffic, it's going to slow things down," said Sgt. Steven Weir with the Pismo Beach Police Department.

Road closures will also add to the traffic problem. Price Street will be closed between Bay and Hinds Avenue starting at 6am Saturday. Parts of Pomeroy, Cypress, Main and Stimson streets will also be affected. Police plan to use other methods of transportation.

"We increased the amount of foot patrol folks for the downtown. We've also increased bicycle patrol," Weir said.

Neighbors are already experiencing parking problems.

"I just place them out here, but we've had them moved several times," said Michelle Lewis, who's tried putting orange cones in front of her home.

"I came home to unload several loads of groceries and somebody was parked here, so I had to park across the street," Lewis said.

She just wants people to remember, often times they're parking in front of homes.

"We don't have a garage and this is for our use," Lewis said.

She is willing to offer people a place to park if in turn offer a little courtesy.

"Be respectful is all I ask," Lewis said.

Pismo Beach Police say they plan to be more lenient about parking this weekend as long as you're not parking in front of fire hydrants or somebody's driveway.

We found out some restaurants in the area tonight were already checking cars in their parking lots to make sure they belonged to their customers.

Click here for a full schedule.