As most of you know, Foothill Boulevard (and its various other names) is the former route taken by Route 66. Technically that old Route never went through Ontario, but the next big Route 66-related event will take place in Ontario anyway.
As you know, the impetus for this event was the cancellation of the 2013 Route 66 Rendezvous due to budget issues in the city of San Bernardino.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - (February 19, 2013) It is with deep regret that the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with their title sponsor, Stater Bros. Markets, announces the suspension of the 2013 Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous®....
“This was a very difficult decision for our Board of Directors to make and not one that we came to lightly,” said Jim Gerstenslager, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The loss of funding due to the statewide elimination of Economic Development Agencies coupled with the current financial situation of the City of San Bernardino has resulted in a total loss of the revenue needed to continue the day-to-day operations of the Convention & Visitors Bureau and by extension the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous® and the California Welcome Center.”
From the Route 66 Rendezvous Facebook page:
ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA TO HOST ROUTE 66 CRUISIN’ REUNION®
Thousands of Classic Cars and Fans will Jam Historic Euclid Avenue Sept. 20-22.
ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA – (June 13, 2013) – Ontario will experience a population explosion this fall as several thousand classic cars and tens of thousands of automobile enthusiasts descend upon the city Sept. 20-22 for the Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion®.
The three-day classic car rally will feature block upon block of cars and displays, feature off-site events such as a Poker Run and car competitions, and draw immense crowds of fans from Southern California and the Southwestern United States to Ontario’s historic Euclid Avenue.
“San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire have enjoyed a long and rich love affair with all things relating to vintage automobiles,” noted Michael Krouse, president of the nonprofit Route 66 Reunion and President & CEO of the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau. “As a part of Ontario’s continuing vision for growth and greater community pride, we have formed what we know will become a long-standing, highly popular vintage metal road show for everyone to be proud of and to enjoy. We couldn’t be more excited as this is a great day for the city of Ontario.”
Teaming-up with the 501(c)3 Route 66 Reunion is long-time car show event planner Shelly McNaul. “Shelly, who now is our director of event planning for Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion, brings more than 20 years of successful car show operations experience to the team,” said Krouse. “We are thrilled to have her on board!”
The Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion will feature three days of classic cars, cruising, contests, live entertainment, fabulous food and revelry to make it one of the nation’s most extended, long-play events of its kind. Vintage autos and car hobbyists will line Ontario’s tree-shaded Euclid Avenue and a take part in a Poker Run rally incorporating the much loved classic Route 66.
Visit www.Route66CruisinReunion.com, or follow us at http://www.facebook.com/Route66CruisinReunion, http://twitter.com/CruisinReunion, http://www.youtube.com/cruisinreunion for information about becoming a sponsor, vendor or to register your vehicle for the rally.
ABOUT THE ROUTE 66 CRUISIN’ REUNION®:
The Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion®, created by the newly formed 501(c)3 Route 66 Reunion, is Southern California’s ultimate weekend celebration of America’s love affair with the automobile and its world-famous highway, Route 66. Three days of cruising, contests, live entertainment, fabulous food and revelry make it one of the nation’s most extended, long-play events of its kind. Held annually each September along historic, tree-shaded Euclid Avenue in Ontario, California, the Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion is where classic cruisers, convertibles, hot rods, and wicked Woodies fuel a jam-packed jamboree. Visit www.cruisinreunion.com for details.
ABOUT THE GREATER ONTARIO CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU:
The Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau provides groups and meeting professionals with an unbiased, comprehensive resource when booking a tour, convention, meeting or event within the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Ideal for both leisure and business travel, the region boasts scenic mountains, deserts, vineyards and metropolitan areas that are both historic and cosmopolitan in character. For meeting needs of all sizes – from a conference room to a citywide convention utilizing the Ontario Convention Center – or for a special exposition or sporting event, the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau will provide the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful experience.
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CONTACT
Don Williams
Public Relations
Route 66 Reunion
(760) 707- 4589
media@Route66CruisinReunion.com
Oh, but there's just one little thing. While all of this organization was going on, the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce (a separate entity from the San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau) is planning its own event for that weekend:
The San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to Rendezvous Back To Route 66 at San Manuel Baseball Stadium, 280 S. E Street, San Bernardino. The original Route 66 Rendezvous may have been suspended this year, but the fun continues with a Poker Run, food and many, many old time vendors, kids' games and more. Continuous stadium entertainment, music, movies and more! And yes, we have CRUISING!!!! All proceeds go to local charities, Verteran's Hospital & San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce.
The competing events are getting coverage from as far away as San Jose:
"We do not want to lose Route 66," said Judi Penman, the president and CEO of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce....
"I look it as competition is good. We'll become better or stronger as a result. Otherwise, we will fail. There's many car shows that exist in this world. This region is ripe for these shows," said [Michael] Krouse, the president and CEO of the Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is also president of the newly formed nonprofit Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion.
Hopefully this won't become a west side/east side war of competing car enthusiasts. But at least if someone decides to attend both shows, there's a logical way to get between the two. And on the way, you can do it in a teepee.
