The Texas Old Route 66 Association announced this week that The Road Crew music group will perform on Oct. 1 at the pre-party of the association's 2026 Motor Tour in Shamrock, Texas. The fifth annual Route 66 Motor Tour will take place on Oct. 2-3, 2026, during the highway's centennial. The Nashville-based group, called "America's … Continue reading The Road Crew booked for pre-party of 2026 Texas Old Route 66 Association Motor Tour
Category: Events
Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration
As the Mother Road marks its 99th anniversary, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission this week unveiled early plans and programming for the Route 66 centennial in 2026. The yearlong celebration will spotlight Oklahoma’s role in preserving and promoting one of America’s most storied highways. The announcement kicks off … Continue reading Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration
Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign glows again for the first time in a half-century
The neon sign for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat truck stop near Chambless, California, glowed again Saturday night for the first time in about 50 years. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route Association, was one of the people with his camera at the relighting ceremony: Here's a reel that shows the sign's animation of … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign glows again for the first time in a half-century
Museum of Northern Arizona soon will open an exhibit on the history of Route 66 in state
The Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff will open a Route 66 exhibit that runs from Nov. 16 to Oct. 26, 2026. The Arizona Daily Sun reported: Called “Wagon Road to Mother Road,” the exhibit looks at the way travel has affected landscapes and communities in northern Arizona, from the Beale Wagon Road to Route … Continue reading Museum of Northern Arizona soon will open an exhibit on the history of Route 66 in state
Sapulpa’s downtown parking plan threatens several historic buildings
A consultant for the city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has proposed tearing down five historic buildings in the downtown area to address parking concerns. The plan comes in the wake of a survey of residents by Planning Consultant Scott Bruce, which focused on a lack of parking on Dewey Avenue (aka Route 66) and easy access … Continue reading Sapulpa’s downtown parking plan threatens several historic buildings
Norman Rockwell exhibit debuts today at the J.M. Davis Museum in Claremore
The J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum along Route 66 in Claremore, Oklahoma, today is opening its newest exhibit, "Norman Rockwell: In Search of America." Rockwell, a painter and illustrator for about 60 years, was beloved during his lifetime for his sometimes whimsical, sometimes serious look at American life. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 … Continue reading Norman Rockwell exhibit debuts today at the J.M. Davis Museum in Claremore
Route 66 postage stamps, all shot by David Schwartz, coming in 2026
The U.S. Postal Service recently announced that the 2026 Route 66 Centennial Stamp Collection will be released next year, and all the images were taken by longtime Mother Road photographer David Schwartz. Schwartz said in a social media post that he'd known the USPS would print Route 66 stamps for about 18 months. It’s hard … Continue reading Route 66 postage stamps, all shot by David Schwartz, coming in 2026
National Cowboy Museum to open Route 66 exhibition in February
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City will open the "Route 66: From Trails to Truck Stops" exhibition starting in early February. The exhibition will run from Feb. 6 to May 4, during Route 66's centennial year. Cowgirl Magazine had more details: Visitors will see artifacts, maps, photographs and multimedia displays tracing … Continue reading National Cowboy Museum to open Route 66 exhibition in February
Gathering Place in Tulsa to honor the 100th anniversary of Route 66 next year
The Gathering Place, a huge park along the Arkansas River in Tulsa, is partnering with other groups locally and across the country to honor Route 66's centennial in 2026. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association: The park will feature a robust calendar of programs and activities that bring the nostalgia of Route 66 to … Continue reading Gathering Place in Tulsa to honor the 100th anniversary of Route 66 next year
Director of Oklahoma Route Museum retiring after 30 years
Pat Smith, the director of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, is retiring later this month after 30 years at the facility. A going-away party will be hosted at the museum at 2229 W. Gary Blvd. (Route 66) at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, announced Jim Ross, a longtime Route 66 historian. The museum … Continue reading Director of Oklahoma Route Museum retiring after 30 years