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ONTARIO, CA-Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion®, powered by the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau, has announced the impact to our local economy during the three day event! Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion®, a 501-(c3) organization, created by the Greater Ontario Visitors & Convention Bureau, is a Southern California 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 comradery make it one of the best events of its kind. Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion is where classic cruisers, convertibles, hot rods, and wicked Woodies fuel a jam-packed jamboree.

Starting on Friday, September 16 at 5:00pm and continuing thru the weekend until Sunday, September 18 at 4:00pm the following numbers have been reported:

• Attendance totaled more than 150,000 people participating in this three (3) day weekend family event.
• Over 1,000 cars registered to participate in Route 66 Cruisin Reunion
• Total economic impact to the area was more than $17,000,000.00
• Total vendors, included : 29 retail vendors and 23 food vendors
• Eight (8) live concerts were performed on the Ontario Town Square Stage
• The Mother Road Revisited exhibit at the Ontario Museum of History and Art was brought in specifically to be apart of this event. A good example of synergy between destinations working together to encourage visitors to explore and discover the Greater Ontario region
• The People’s Choice awards gave the attendees the opportunity to vote. Six categories included: Best of Show, Best Convertible, Cool Paint Job, Best Pick Up, Best Staging, and Best Muscle Car
• Additional contests included the Neon light contest and the Model Car Contest
• Southern California media brought attention to the event with over 572,000 people learning more about the event thru television and print articles

We are proud to announce the success of Route 66 Cruisin Reunion” said Michael Krouse, President and CEO of the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our mission is to bring visitors to our cities, increase overnight stays in our hotels, and boost the local economy” said Krouse. “Our team takes pride in creating family friendly events that lure visitors to our area and has the added benefit of providing a wonderful way for our local community to spend the

weekend – to appreciate our beautiful historic tree lined Euclid Avenue in Ontario, check out the cars, listen to some great music and enjoy all the free family fun!”

If you missed this annual event be sure to mark your 2017 calendars now for the third weekend in September! The timer has already been set to count down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds to the next Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion. Visit www.Route66CruisinReunion.com.

DALLAS, TX- Original Tuskegee airman and fighter pilot, Lieutenant Calvin Spann, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 90 years old.

Lt. Spann was an original Tuskegee Airman and fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. Spann received his wings from the Tuskegee Flight School as a part of the graduating class of 44G, an elite squadron of African-American pilots. As a member of the United States Army Air Corps, he served in Europe during World War II, where he flew 26 combat missions, including a 1,600-mile round trip mission on March 24, 1945 from Ramitelli, Italy to Berlin, Germany to destroy the Daimler-Benz manufacturing plant, according to the Dallas Love Field Frontiers of Flight Museum.

On February 28, 2006, the U.S. Congress approved a bill authorizing President George W. Bush to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen, the highest civilian honor awarded by the United States. The 2012 Hollywood blockbuster movie, Red Tails, was based on the African-American pilots in the Tuskegee training program.

Prior to his death, Lt. Spann was still very active in his community, speaking at schools, churches and organizations about the Tuskegee Airmen experience and how their courage and valor helped them to triumph. During these speeches, he encouraged students to make a commitment to excel in the study of mathematics and science, reminding them that through preparation and perseverance, they can succeed.