Attendance at the annual Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., rose significantly over the previous year, reported the San Bernardino County Sun.
The bureau states the Rendezvous usually brings about 500,000 downtown during its four-day span, and this year that figure was met and then some, officials say.
“It is an increase from last year. I know there was well over 500,000 people there,” Blanco said. […]
During last year’s Rendezvous, only about a handful of the hotel’s 40 rooms were occupied, he said.
Anup Desai, the owner of America’s Best Value Inn and Suites, at 395 N. H St., just a few blocks from the Rendezvous’ hub around Court Street, said room occupancy was way up this year. […]
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, at 1041 E. Harriman Place, about a 15 minute drive from the Rendezvous, experienced a 7 to 10 percent increase in occupancy when compared to a typical weekend, said John Mathews, the hotel’s assistant general manager. Mathews did not have numbers from last year’s Rendezvous weekend for comparison.
Numbers were down last year, which was attributed to the downtown of the California economy. The Rendezvous’ strong showing may indicate the economy is turning around.
Here are a few videos from the event:
— A flame-throwing Mustang:
— A school bus that’s a monster truck:
— Here’s a contest for the loudest vehicle in the open headers division:
— A slide show of muscle cars, to George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone”:
As someone that has attended all 20 of these events, the last 10 as a member of the GREAT group that put it all together, the San Bernardino CVB, its staff and board plus the people that make up the Organizing Committee. Without these folks and all the volunteers this event would not be the success it is.
Yes the weather was hot during the day but as usual the evenings were very pleasant.
This is one event everyone should attend at least once in their life.