BLOOMINGTON - Shawn Harvey was among a group of nine family members and friends who walked into U.S. Cellular Coliseum as soon as it opened Saturday morning to see the stars of the movie "Cars."

The Clinton 10-year-old, who twice the Disney movie, and his brother, Micah, 7, have a batch of "Cars" collector cards and toys.

"Mater is my favorite," Harvey said of the big-toothed pickup truck. The truck is among cars and trucks with human-like personalities that live in a small town along a road that bears a resemblance to historic Route 66.

Thousands of parents and children came to Bloomington to see life-size reproductions of the vehicles as part of a 50-city tour sponsored by State Farm Insurance Cos., a sponsor of the movie.

"We were expecting 5,000 people to come," said company spokeswoman Missy Lundberg. "I think we surpassed that" in the first hour of a six-hour open house.

Children and movie fans got a close-up look at the cars and could choose from key-chain souvenirs.

The timing was perfect for John Kushman, 3, and sister Sophie, 6, of Cincinnati, who were visiting grandparents Roy and Barb Ostberg of Downs. The children's parents, Kevin and Susie Kushman, also took the brood to the Children's Discovery Museum in Normal.

"They loved the movie," said Barb Ostberg as her husband clicked photos.

Cameras flashed abundantly as fans surrounded Mater, Lightning and Sally and the coliseum's big-screen monitor played a "Cars" video.

"We're here in absentia," explained Mary and Bob LaTurner, who sat on the coliseum sidelines to gather information and photographs to share with grandson Isaak Ramsey, 6, of Morton. He loved the movie when the trio saw it earlier this year, but wasn't able to make Saturday's event.

Bloomington's reaction is typical of the other 49 towns on the tour's four-month route, said Shawn Doering of Orlando, Fla. He works for Becker Group, a marketing company promoting the tour.

At times, he pulled his semi (which hauls the replica cars) into rest areas when he saw carloads of families who wanted to get a better look. At Battle Creek, Mich., "about 150 stopped in an hour," he said.

The popular tour ran out of some of its promotional items, like posters and collector cards, but State Farm employees made sure every child at the Twin City stop could choose a souvenir.

Beth Ward said the cars, displayed all week at corporate headquarters, were very popular. On Saturday, daughter Lauren, 7, helped hand out souvenirs.

Bloomington was the last stop on the tour, but Doering thinks the tour may resume because it's proved so popular. The cars also will be shown in Chicago during State Farm conventions later this month.