Cars like this one passed through Tucumcari during the Route 66 Motor Tour which had more than 40 participants meet and depart from the Tucumcari Convention Center for a three-day tour bound for Gallup.

On Saturday the vintage classic cars, newer cars, trucks with campers in tow and RVs set out from the Tucumcari Convention Center on the first leg of the Route 66 Motor Tour.

“I am from Amarillo and love Route 66,” said Bob “Crocodile” Lile. “When I found out this tour was going to happen, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

Lile said there is great fun and a wonderful history involved with the tour, and that Tucumcari is a fun place to stay.  He said he was driving his 1964 Ford Mustang convertible.

The tour brought several people into Tucumcari, local hotel owner Richard Talley said. Talley said he was excited about the tour and looks forward to next year's event.

“This is the type of event that can grow each year,” Talley said. “There are event like this that have been running for years and the attendance grows to the thousands.”

Talley said with a little more local support the tour could have events like those held in Albuquerque over the weekends.

Route 66 was closed off at Nob Hill for a stop-and-stroll event and for the 10th Annual Neon Cruise. The events also included barbecues, car shows and sidewalk sales.

“There is so much potential for an event like this taking off in Tucumcari,” Talley said. “It attracts tourists and could become one of the area's largest annual events.”