Here are a few items that have crossed the Route 66 News desk in recent weeks:
— The board of directors of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival distributed $10,000 to five local charities in the Springfield, Illinois, area.
For the first time in the event’s history, funds generated by the festival were distributed to local nonprofits, and the board intends to continue this tradition moving forward, according to a news release.
“For 24 years, this festival has brought people together to celebrate history, community and the spirit of Route 66,” said board President Casey Claypool, who also leads the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. “Our goal has always been to give back to the community that has supported us, and we’re proud to help strengthen organizations that make a difference every single day in the lives of local families. Launching this new donation initiative is an important step in expanding our community impact.”
The festival distributed $2,000 each to the following five community organizations:
- Toys for Tots
- Animal Protective League
- Washington Street Mission
- Mercy Communities
- Central Illinois Foodbank
— The kickoff for “The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure” caravan will depart from the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, at 7 a.m. PST on Jan. 3.
After that, a press conference will be held at 8:30 a.m. that day at the nearby Mel’s Drive-In in Santa Monica, at the actual western terminus of Route 66.
The event — one of the first official events of the Route 66 centennial — is being organized by the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, The Drive Home, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.
The Drive Home will conclude on Jan. 12 at the Detroit Auto Show.
— On a related note, the Detroit Auto Show announced its “Detroit Auto Show: Route 66 Centennial Exhibition” at Detroit’s Huntington Place from Jan. 14-25 has been designated an Official Route 66 Centennial Project by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission.
The “Detroit Auto Show: Route 66 Centennial Exhibition” will feature some of the vehicles making the journey. Each vehicle represents an era of innovation, design and adventure that contributed to shaping the nation’s love affair with cars and the open road.
Visitors will experience multimedia highlights, including film and photography capturing the caravan’s stops along the Mother Road in small towns, historic landmarks, diners, motels, and iconic gas stations.
— The Great American Road Trip was formally designated as an Official Route 66 Centennial Project.
Launched in September in Philadelphia, The Great American Road Trip showcases America, American modes of transportation, destinations, and brands to create a legacy for decades to come. Highlighting exciting itineraries across the country leading up to and through America’s 250th birthday, its mission is to unite friends and families, encourage exploration, and celebrate all that makes America the greatest country in the world.
As part of its 10-stop national series and related Road Trip Roundtable engagements, the Great American Road Trip will include one to four featured stops along Route 66.
— The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership named Cruise America the Official RV Rental Partner of the centennial. The collaboration will support nationwide programming, travel experiences and promotional initiatives.
Through the partnership, Cruise America will add the Route 66 centennial logo on 300 of its rental RVs.
(Courtesy image of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival board of directors presenting a $2,000 check to the Animal Protective League)