By Chris Levister

San Bernardino put its best foot forward in what was a remarkably safe and overwhelmingly successful street festival. To the delight of an estimated 500,000 people a metal marvel of some 2,000 classic muscle cars, vintage sports cars, custom hot rods rumbled around the city's 35-square block downtown for three days and four nights of eye watering, ear splitting, engine screaming, smoke bellowing cruising.

They came from throughout the region and across the nation, vendors, car buffs and families from every race, culture and socioeconomic lot flocked to the 17th annual Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous for the city's biggest most elaborate party of the year.

Food lines were long. People hung out in everything from pup tents to luxury motor homes. Food, lemonade and car chatter flowed like the non-stop parade of cruisers along Third Street. No problems were reported during this year's festival thanks to heavy security surrounding the event.

Photo by Chris Levister - When Lawrence Hester, Sr. saw the first of a parade of classic cars rumbling into downtown, the San Bernardino father says he raced home and returned with 7 of his 10 children

At nearby Meadowbrook Park a kaleidoscope of children played games and cooled down in water sprayed from a fire engine.  

The scene was very different from 2 months ago when the city for a time seemed gripped by a paralyzing culture of fear following a spat of violent crimes.

"I've never seen so many people smiling. It's the cars. Everybody's eyes are on the cars," said Latshia Boyles. Her father Gary sat on a lounge chair next to his screaming red Chevy Malibu.

Mayor Pat Morris set a family friendly tone, riding in a 1954 Chevrolet convertible, the same type of car in which he took his wife on their first date. "I've never cruised before, and boy did that bring back some memories," the mayor said. He praised the event organizers for a successful turnout and for bringing families back to downtown."

Photo by John Coleman - Merchants and partcipants enjoying Route 66.

 "This event has the potential to wipe out this city's crime problem in one engine snorting swoop. You've got the young and old from every race, religion and ethnic background crammed in here.  This puts everyone in a good mood and takes us back to a time when civility and respect ruled," said Gary Boyles.

After viewing the parade of cars from the steps of the main post office nearby Lawrence Hester, Sr. returned to the event with 7 of his 10 children.

A gleaming jet black Ford Shelby caught the eye of Lawrence Jr. "The engine is so clean you can eat off of it." "I mostly came to look at the old cars," said Jeremiah, 9.

"It makes me feel good to know I can walk around in an area and see such a diverse crowd. The people are warm and friendly. You feel safe out here. You'd never know San Bernardino is one of the most dangerous cities in the nation. Everybody should take lessons from this," said Larry Mack a computer engineer from Fontana.

Battalion fire chief Howard Bennett saw fire engine red, the color of his 66 Mustang Fastback. Bennett who is Black, hovered around his shiny masterpiece cajoling with  long time friends and fellow firefighters Joe Munoz, Danny Vidana, Vidana's nephew Alex and on looker Janice Stowers.

"I've been coming out here for about 15 years. This is our spot: SB City Fire. It's like stepping back in time. We try to be an example for the kids. We tell them there's more to life than gangs, drugs and bad behavior. We let them know ‘you can own a classic car too'. But it takes hard work and commitment," said Bennett.     

"There is no such thing as color out here. Look around Everybody is getting along. Everybody is looking at everybody else's cars. You don't see small groups separating themselves from others. We're just one big happy family," says Danny Vidana.

His nephew Alex agreed. "There's so much to learn about the different cars. Restoring them and keeping them up is hard work. It takes your mind off of the bad stuff. It's really cool."

"I've owned my 57 Chevy since I was 16. Back when I was a teenager we cruised E Street.  There were never any problems. We always felt safe. This is the snapshot of San Bernardino the rest of the nation needs to see," says Munoz.

DeJaun and Valerie Lofton have been coming to the rendezvous for 8 years. "This event brings the community together. It crosses all racial and ethnic barriers. What everybody comes to see are the cars, the workmanship, the detail, the cruising," said DeJaun.  "It's not unusual to see Black, white and Latino heads hovering under one hood. Looking around it's like everybody is on cruise control.  It's a dream world out here."

Young Haydn Wright says he will remember Rendezvous 2006 as a beacon of hope. "Maybe if we have a party like this every weekend, there wouldn't be any more murders and hurting people. All the kids would be safe. Wouldn't that be good?"