There were hundreds of classic cars and hot rods on the roads on the evening of Sept. 6, the night before the Cruise-In, but the centre of events was outside of 91原创 this year.

Every year before the 91原创 Good Times Cruise-In, held this year on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Aldergrove, car lovers bring out their vehicles for some informal driving, parking lot show and shines, and in some cases, burnouts and unsafe driving.

Because of the unsanctioned burnouts, which have taken place in several years in the past on Industrial Avenue in 91原创 City, a heavy police presence is typical.

This year was no exception.

Most of Industrial Avenue east of 200 Street was closed off with concrete blocks and a 91原创 City fire truck this year, starting before 5:30 p.m.

Nearby alleys and even parking lots were also blocked off.

"As always, our priority is public safety," said Cpl. Craig Van Herk, spokesperson for the 91原创 RCMP. "Tonight is no different. We anticipate there will be more people and more vehicles around, so we have additional resources deployed around the City and Township."

There was also a large number of police at the shopping plazas around the A&W restaurant on 200 Street near the Willowbrook Shopping Centre.

In 2023, after police shut down Industrial Avenue, drivers headed to the wide boulevard that led into the mall parking lot and began doing burnouts there.

When police arrived, some drivers and spectators blocked access to police and swarmed the first RCMP vehicles on the scene.

This year, police appeared determined to prevent a repeat, with multiple uniformed officers and marked and unmarked police vehicles all over the area.

A number of drivers and spectators had come to the area in the hopes of seeing either cars or burnouts.

"I think it would be good if it was a permitted, legal event," Jessie Thornton said of burnouts, noting it has to be done safely.

But he said that this year, it looked like police were encouraging people to go elsewhere. That would just move the activity somewhere else, he said.

Much of the action moved just over the border into Surrey, with a large gathering of cars in parking lots around 54 Avenue and 192 Street in Surrey. Dozens of classic vehicles were lined up and stopped in the area, and other drivers were heading for drives up and down 192 Street. As of 7 p.m., the event seemed quiet.

S/Sgt. Tyner Gillies with the Surrey RCMP said they received a couple calls about the gathering of vehicles, but there was "nothing serious."

"The motorists quickly dispersed," he added. 

Cruise-In president Marty Brown noted that informal events the night before Cruise-In are separate from the actual charity car show.

He also noted that police in 91原创 wanted to ensure people have a safe and fun event.