It was announced a few weeks ago that the Slug Bug Ranch, aka Bug Ranch, landmark in Conway, Texas, would be moved to the east side of Amarillo. The Amarillo Globe-News (via AOL) had more details about Slug Bug Ranch, which is set to open at its new site across the Starlight Ranch Event Center … Continue reading More details emerge of Slug Bug Ranch’s imminent move to Amarillo
Category: Attractions
Big theme park project near Vinita already showing signs of financial problems
A humongous theme park development planned off Route 66 near Vinita, Oklahoma, already is showing signs of financial issues barely six months after a groundbreaking. Mansion Entertainment, a company with ties to Branson, Missouri, announced last summer it would build the American Heartland theme park and RV park by 2026, which is Route 66's centennial … Continue reading Big theme park project near Vinita already showing signs of financial problems
Gearhead Curios wins first Outstanding Attraction honor from Jefferson Highway Association
Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, and its owner Aaron Perry recently received the inaugural Outstanding Attraction award from the Jefferson Highway Association during its 11th annual conference in Alexandria, Louisiana. Gearhead Curios is best known for being on Route 66. The Jefferson Highway, which ran from New Orleans to Winnipeg, Manitoba, also went through Galena … Continue reading Gearhead Curios wins first Outstanding Attraction honor from Jefferson Highway Association
Route 66 landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport reopens to traffic
The Route 66 landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, reopened to traffic Friday after a celebration on the rehabbed span. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, said ODOT counted more than 350 vehicles at one point of the ceremony. He also shot the above image, which shows how crowded it was. Before … Continue reading Route 66 landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport reopens to traffic
Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
The restoration of the neon sign for the closed West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, is among the $6 million in grants recently awarded by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. A list of the funds given from the state's Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program was posted in a document on the commission's website. Several grant … Continue reading Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants get a glimpse of soon-to-be-relocated Gemini Giant
Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants had the rare privilege of seeing the Gemini Giant from the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant lying in repose, with its helmet off. The Joliet Patch had details about the fiberglass giant being shown inside the City of Wilmington's public works building during last weekend's 17th annual … Continue reading Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants get a glimpse of soon-to-be-relocated Gemini Giant
Book review: “100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die” (second edition)
If you think there are a lot of "100 Things to Do" books on the market, you wouldn't be wrong. A perusal of the Reedy Press website reveals more than 80 of them, detailing U.S. destinations from Amarillo to the Wisconsin Dells. And that doesn't even count the copycat books or clickbait articles. Reedy Press … Continue reading Book review: “100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die” (second edition)
Meadow Gold Mack Route 66 Outpost in Tulsa opening on May 18
Tulsa Route 66 booster Mary Beth Babcock this week announced the imminent opening of another venture -- the Meadow Gold Mack Route 66 Outpost that will feature another Muffler Man fiberglass statue. Babcock stated on Facebook: "Over 16 artists and shops will be under 1 roof. The ultimate mix of merch, vinyl, books and gifts. … Continue reading Meadow Gold Mack Route 66 Outpost in Tulsa opening on May 18
American Giants Museum’s grand opening will include installation of two Muffler Men
The American Giants Museum's grand opening on May 24-26 will include the installation of two Muffler Men on the site in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. According to a news release, featured activities on May 24 will include the arrival and installation of a 24-foot-tall Texaco Big Friend giant, one of only six surviving from the original … Continue reading American Giants Museum’s grand opening will include installation of two Muffler Men
City of El Reno receives $1.2 million state grant to revitalize historic gas station
The City of El Reno, Oklahoma, recently announced it had landed a $1.2 million grant from the state's Route 66 Commission to restore a historic gas station. "This Route 66 project aims to enhance the appeal of Route 66 for both locals and visitors and will prepare Downtown El Reno for the Route 66 Centennial … Continue reading City of El Reno receives $1.2 million state grant to revitalize historic gas station