Last year, part of the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., was in the National Orange Show Events Center.
This year, the Rendezvous will be held in downtown only, reports the San Bernardino County Sun.
Popular demand was cited as the reason.
Last September, a car show and other attractions were held at the events center, which was included in the Rendezvous' cruise route.
Steve Henthorn, president of the visitors bureau, said the overwhelming feedback from those who participated in and attended the Rendezvous was that it should be held in one location: downtown.
"When it's all said and done, people love to be downtown," he said. "It's hot and it's slow-moving, and that's where the action is. That's where the tradition is, and that's where the nostalgia is."
What's more, he said, is the fact that people like a free ride.
"We heard a lot of complaints about having to pay $5," Henthorn said of the fee the events center charged for its portion of the Rendezvous.
Jack Brown, chairman of the board and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets, agreed.
"The success has been that it's free, it's for the family, and it's home is downtown San Bernardino," he said.
The Rendezvous is by far the biggest tourist draw to San Bernardino. It roped in more than 500,000 participants over a four-day period in 2005.