Michael Wallis, the author of the bestselling book “Route 66: The Mother Road” and the voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the movie “Cars,” was named one of four grand marshals for the massive Route 66 Capital Cruise parade set for May 30 in Tulsa.
The other grand marshals will be Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and Vice Grip Garage founder Derek Bieri.
They all will be in the first four cars of the parade, which organizers hope will draw a world-record 3,000 classic cars, reported KTUL-TV in Tulsa.
Wallis, a longtime Tulsa resident who is also the founder of the Route 66 Alliance and an initial member of the national Route 66 Centennial Commission, gave a statement about his grand marshal honor:
“Route 66 is the heartbeat of America, and Capital Cruise will be the heartbeat of America’s Route 66 Centennial Celebration. I did not hesitate to say ‘yes’ when asked to be a grand marshal for this unprecedented event. There is nothing more American than the Mother Road, and it deserves the biggest celebration it can get.”
The parade will depart at 8 a.m. on May 30 from Expo Square, go north on Yale Avenue, then travel west down 11th Street (aka Route 66) along the spectator route. Other events are set for that weekend, as well.
The sign-up sheet for the cruise is here. Vehicles must be 1996 models or earlier.
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