A 40-foot neon sign was installed a few days ago at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
The sign is near the fairgrounds’ Gate 2, which is at the corner of Peoria Road (aka Route 66) and Sangamon Avenue. It’s the first of five signs at the gate.
The Route 66 Experience also is located at that gate.
Here are a few photos from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway of the sign installation:
And here’s what it looks like at night:
According to WCIA-TV:
The sign was paid for with money from a state tourism grant, and leaders said the exhibit will bring people to Springfield year-round.
“The experience at Gate 2 is going to be a year-round, self-guided experience,” said Scott Dahl, Director of Visit Springfield. “So throughout the year, you’re going to be able to stop by and learn about Route 66, look at the neons and have that experience.”
The giant slide at the State Fairgrounds is also getting a new paint job with the Route 66 highway sign adorning the slide’s surface. It will open next summer on Saturdays outside of the State Fair dates.
(Image of the new Route 66 neon sign at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield via Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway)