Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional Temecula Rod Run Show and Shine Car Show was canceled, but the Friday Night Cruise went on as scheduled, just modified a little bit.
Instead of roaring down Old Town Front Street Friday, Aug. 28, car lovers ventured out a little further into the city with two routes available to drive.
“It’s just kind of a summer cruise down Rancho Cal,” event organizer Tracy Courts said before the cruise.
Both began on Rancho California Road and headed east, then drivers had the option of heading south or north on Butterfield Stage Road. For those who headed south, they continued on to Temecula Parkway, heading back west toward Old Town Temecula. For the drivers who headed north, they hooked a left on Nicholas Road and again on Winchester Road/Highway 79.
At the ending point of each route, the drivers could make a U-turn and head back up the route until they found the start of the second option and do it all again.
Residents came out from their neighborhoods, set up lawn chairs and watched the classic car cruise.
The event route avoided Old Town Front Street to limit the large groupings of residents which congregate to watch the cruise typically.
“We’re trying to avoid Old Town just to avoid having large crowds of spectators gathering,” Courts said.
Temecula Rod Run’s Saturday main event was canceled in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Riverside University Health Systems – Public Health and the State of California.
The event has been rescheduled for Friday, April 30, 2021, and Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Old Town Temecula, provided county health officials have sanctioned large gatherings again.
For more information, visit https://temeculaca.gov/RodRun.
Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.
