The western Arizona town of Kingman is considered a top candidate to play host to the 2014 International Route 66 Festival, according to the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper.
Local author and Route 66 enthusiast Jim Hinckley said in an interview that Kingman holds “front-runner” status in landing the event, which generally is hosted in a different Route 66 city each year.
And Route 66 Alliance co-founder Rick Freeland confirmed that Kingman is a strong candidate for the festival, which in 2013 will be in Joplin, Mo., in early August.
The newspaper said:
If Kingman does land the hosting gig, the event would be held in conjunction with the August 2014 edition of Chillin’ on Beale Street, said Hinckley.
The initial plan, he said, calls for a Saturday car show, an exhibition of artists and authors in the Southwest whose work focuses on Route 66, a barbecue at Hualapai Mountain Park and live music. […]
Freeland confirmed Kingman is the front-runner, but an announcement won’t be made until Aug. 3, the final day of the Joplin festival.
“This will be great for Kingman,” said Freeland. “Every town or city that has hosted the event has seen a significant bump in the local economy. And this is a true international event. Route 66 truly does have a global following.”
It’s estimated the festival draws 5,000 to 10,000 people, although that number has been considerably higher, most notably in Springfield, Ill., about a decade ago.
Still think the future festivals should be announced a year and a half/two years out so our foreign visitors can make plans to attend as they plan their trips that far in advance..