Victorville, California site of 2012 International Route 66 Festival

Route 66, Victorville, California, 1935 

You don't usually connect the word "extravaganza" or "50,000 to 100,000 enthusiasts" with Route 66, but that is what promoters of next summer's 2012 International Route 66 Festival are predicting.

The festival is held each year in one of the eight states the route passes through and 2012 is California's year. Victorville outbid several other  communities along the route to become the official site.

The festival runs from Aug. 9 through Aug. 12 and will feature a classic car show, food and merchandise vendors, singers, entertainers, and Michaeel Wallis, a Route 66 historian and author who provided the voice of Sheriff in Disney’s “Cars” series.

The festival is partnering with the Route 66 Museum in Old Town Victorville and will feature a tour down Seventh Street, the route of the original Route 66.