Toyotafest is happening but everyone, including spectators, must pre-register

Great news! The City of Long Beach has given Toyotafest the green light, meaning the year-long nightmare of no official car shows may soon be over. However, there will be some major change that will affect everyone who attends, so consider this a JNC public service announcement.

First, everyone must pre-register. That includes spectators, who didn’t have to before. The event is still free, but anyone who shows up at Marina Green Park on June 5 must have registered 72 hours before the event. That means before June 2. The total number of people allowed at the event will be limited, so please register early. You will no longer be able to just show up on the day of the show without having registered.

This is not a rule from the Toyotafest organizers, but a mandate from the City of Long Beach, which needs to notify people and contact trace in case of an outbreak. Naturally, any display cars and vendors have to register as well, but that has not changed from previous years.

Secondly, no out-of-state attendees will be allowed. Everyone, including owners of show cars and vendors, must be California residents. This is also a city mandate, so please don’t send angry emails or DMs to the good people at the TORC, the Toyota Owners and Restorers Club. UPDATE: The rules have been updated. Out of state visitors are allowed!

And finally, standard mask and social distancing rules apply. Masks must be worn at all times, parties must keep 6 feet or more apart, and spectators cannot bring outside food or drink into the show.

It might be inconvenient, but those are the rules, and many stars had to align for the show to happen at all. Hopefully, everything will be back to normal by next year. If you would like to attend, please register at the TORC website.