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The 20th Anniversary Route 66 Rendezvous
Route 66. It began simply as a way to get to the West Coast. It was known as America’s Main Street before the interstate system relegated it to history. Thanks to a variety of songs, television shows and faded black and white photos, however, the historical roadway has taken on mythical proportions and lives on in the memories of many, regardless of the fact that few had actually driven on it during its heyday. Thanks to a love of nostalgia and bygone times, Route 66 has been resurrected, if only in the imagination.
As for the show, what began as literally a 1 ½-day event in 1990 has, 20 years later, become a massive four-day, three-night gathering of nearly 2,000 vehicles. Encompassing 35 square blocks of downtown San Bernardino, it is one of the many cities in which the original route ran through on its way to the Pacific Ocean.
Open to vehicles built between the years of 1900-1973, the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous is a celebration of what once was and of the cars that were around during the time that Route 66 was king. Over the past two decades, the Rendezvous has become one of the biggest shows on the West Coast, and one that many make sure not to miss, thanks to its miles of cruising space, complete with the chance to cruise with open headers. There are poker runs, burnout contests and much more. In fact, four days and three nights may not be enough time to see and do all that there is. If killer cars, trucks, good food and great music are your passion, the Route 66 Rendezvous is your kind of show.
The Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous is also a great place for the family, as the downtown area had games of all kinds, a firefighter competition, a pinewood derby and even a culinary contest. There is never a slow moment for attendees of the Route 66 Rendezvous.
As with every year, there were additions to the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous “Cruisin’Hall of Fame.” This round, the inductees were Wanda Wells of Wanda’s Upholstery in the Builder/Designer Category; trailer kings Airstream in the Manufacturer/Vehicle Category; Westways Magazine in the Media/Entertainment Category; and the Grand National Roadster Show in the Historical/Misc. Category. All of these inductees certainly deserve their accolades, and only add to the list of great folks in the Hall.
Barely done with this event, the organizers are already working on next year’s show, which is scheduled to take place September 16-19, 2010. All information can be found on their website, www.route-66.org, so mark your calendars and we’ll see you there.
