“The Historic Highway 80 Corporation will steadily improve awareness and visitation to US Historic Highway Route 80 through strong marketing and promotional branding campaigns and will thereby improve the quality of life for adjacent communities, will improve fiscal impacts to business and regional tourism and will improve the educational value related to State Historic Route 80. |
Historic Highway 80 Overview:
California Route 80 is celebrating it's 80 Anniversary this year! The highway has undergone many changes during the past century and now you are invited to revisit this fascinating stretch of American history and retrace the route as it travels from coast to coast across the United States of America.
Upcoming Events:
NEW!!! “East Meets West at ” 3rd Annual Passport Through Time Road Trip, Saturday, October 18th, 2008
Public Invited to Enjoy Historic Highway 80 Event Taking place in
San Diego and Imperial Counties
Historic Highway 80 from the harbor to the backcountry will rumble once again as the 3rd Annual Passport Road Trip takes place on Saturday, October 18, 2008, from 9 am – 2:30 pm. The public is invited to join the “cruise” which will originate at The San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park and end with opportunity drawings at Viejas Outlet Center at 3 pm.
Dave Scott, KUSI’s beloved weatherman, will be doing his live broadcast at the Registration Site at the Automotive Museum from 7 AM to 9:30 AM. There will be morning refreshments, music, information on the event, membership applications, and merchandise for sale. As a special feature “Green Cars” will be on display at the museum…Smart Cars for sure! It will be a wonderful time for the Past, Present, and Future of American automotive travel.
Viejas is also hosting its 4th Annual BBQ Challenge Cookout, “Smokn’ in the Park,” where guests will be able to enjoy delicious BBQ meals in conjunction with Historic Highway 80 Displays and prize drawings. Entertainment will be provided by County Western star Crystal Shawanda and there will be a special parking area for Road Trip participants.
The family road trip along nostalgic Highway Route 80 offers everyone a chance to enjoy a piece of American Heritage as caravans of classic cars, sports cars, motorcycles and family autos “cruise” from the west in Balboa Park, proceed through “Passport Pit Stops” and terminate at Viejas Outlet Center off Willows Road east of Alpine. Another group of drivers will begin in Holtville, California and proceed through several Pit Stops in El Centro, the Imperial Valley, and through the mountains and valleys of the San Diego backcountry, coming westward to Viejas on a “Poker Run”. Drivers will collect playing cards and assemble them into the best poker hand for a chance at winning prizes.
“We encourage the public to bring kids, grand kids and friends to rediscover the many treasures along Old Highway 80, cities and (continued to right) |
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small towns that were largely bypassed when Interstate 8 was built.” said Eric Lund, chair of the event.
To participate in the “Passport” opportunity contest, drivers should check in at Balboa Park. Drivers can then choose from among the remaining Pit Stops to have their “Passport” stamped to be eligible for the opportunity to win valuable prizes during the drawing at the Outlet Center. They may also travel further eastward and then reverse to join the fun at Viejas. New Pit Stops this year include the Chicken Pie Shop on El Cajon Blvd., Iron Mountain Outfitters on La Mesa Blvd., El Cajon Harley-Davidson and Phillip’s Hobbies on East Main Street in El Cajon, and the Flinn Restaurant & Bar on Old Highway 80 in Flinn Springs.
The Historic Highway 80 Corporation is a non-profit, charitable organization. The Road Trip is supported by member businesses in the communities along the route. Sponsors of the event include: Viejas, El Cajon Harley Davidson, Cunningham BMW, San Diego East Visitors Bureau, Automobile Club of Southern California, San Diego Automotive Museum, Dan Conaway, and Floyd, Betty, and Gary Finnerty.
For more information or to learn how you can support the effort to build awareness of Historic Route 80 please call 619.445.0180
For Information Contact the Historic Highway 80 Office at 619.445.0180
What Else Do We Do?
Interpretaion:
Helping people to understand the history, legacy and artifacts associated with the Historic Highway 80 route. We endeavor to tell the Historic Highway 80 story so people can enjoy more fully reliving the past and present experience of journeying along this historic road.
Promotions & Marketing:
The Historic Highway 80 Corporation is dedicated to building awareness and visitation to route 80. Careful research and design of marketing materials to help enhance visitors journy along the route is a primary objective.
Events & Festivals:
Many communities are included on and near the historic route 80 highway and the Historic Highway 80 Corporation endeavors to improve awareness and accessibility to the many events planned throughout the year at these locations.
Community & Government Relations:
The Historic California Highway 80 Corporation is dedicated to maintaining effective and positive communication and relationships with the governmental agencies and communities that are influenced by Historic California Route 80.
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