Route 66 Rendezvous

Route 66 Rendezvous, also known as the Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion, was an annual car show and music festival held in San Bernardino, California, featuring a wide range of classic cars, including Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Charger. The event was organized by the San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau in collaboration with the City of San Bernardino and the Route 66 Association of California. The festival attracted visitors from all over the world, including Australia, Canada, and Japan, who came to experience the iconic American culture and rock and roll music performed by bands like The Beach Boys and Chuck Berry.

Introduction

The Route 66 Rendezvous was a celebration of the famous Route 66, also known as the Mother Road, which connected Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. The event showcased a variety of automobiles, including vintage cars from the 1920s to the 1970s, such as the Model T Ford, Plymouth Road Runner, and Pontiac GTO. The festival also featured live music performances by famous artists like Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and The Doors, as well as food vendors serving traditional American cuisine, including hamburgers from In-N-Out Burger and hot dogs from Pink's Hot Dogs. The event was supported by local businesses, including the San Bernardino Sun, KCAL-TV, and KMIR-TV.

History

The first Route 66 Rendezvous was held in 1990, and it quickly gained popularity, attracting visitors from all over the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. The event was inspired by the Route 66 Association of California, which aimed to preserve the history and culture of the iconic highway, also known as the Main Street of America. Over the years, the festival has featured a wide range of activities, including car parades, live auctions, and classic car exhibits, showcasing vehicles from renowned manufacturers like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler. The event has also been supported by local organizations, including the San Bernardino Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, and the California Highway Patrol.

Events

The Route 66 Rendezvous featured a variety of events, including the Cruisin' Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which honored famous automotive personalities, such as Henry Ford, Enzo Ferrari, and Lee Iacocca. The festival also included a car show with over 1,000 vehicles on display, including rare cars like the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. Additionally, the event featured live music performances on multiple stages, with artists like The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and The Doobie Brothers performing their hit songs, including Hotel California, Dreams, and What a Fool Believes. The festival also included a food court with a variety of vendors, including The Habit Burger Grill, Del Taco, and Wienerschnitzel.

Route 66 Significance

The Route 66 Rendezvous was a celebration of the iconic Route 66, which played a significant role in the development of American culture and economy. The highway, which was established in 1926, connected the East Coast to the West Coast, passing through eight states, including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The highway was also known as the Mother Road, and it was a major route for migrants during the Great Depression, including those who traveled from Dust Bowl states like Oklahoma and Texas. The highway was also a popular route for road trips, with many travelers stopping at famous landmarks like the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, and the Wigwam Motels in Holbrook, Arizona, and San Bernardino, California.

Attendance and Impact

The Route 66 Rendezvous attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, generating significant revenue for the local economy, including businesses like Ontario International Airport, San Bernardino International Airport, and Auto Club Speedway. The event also had a positive impact on the local community, with many visitors staying in nearby hotels, including the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Bernardino, and Hyatt Regency San Bernardino. The festival also supported local charities, including the San Bernardino City Unified School District, and the Inland Empire United Way. The event was also covered by local media outlets, including the San Bernardino Sun, The Press-Enterprise, and KCAL-TV, which helped to promote the event and attract more visitors to the region, including Riverside, California, Fontana, California, and Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Category:Car shows in the United States Category:Music festivals in California