The Joliet Slammers independent baseball team will hold an exhibition game at 3:05 p.m. April 30 at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois, to celebrate Route 66's centennial. The Joliet Area Historical Museum and the City of Joliet announced the game, reported WGN-TV in Chicago. “‘The Big House Ballgame’ is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to … Continue reading Exhibition baseball game to be held behind walls of Old Joliet Prison
Category: Events
Leaders break ground on Hub City Gateway, a modern Route 66 roadside attraction, in Clinton
Oklahoma and local leaders joined West OK Co-Op last Thursday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Hub City Gateway, a new modern roadside attraction along Route 66 that uses large-scale art and architecture to welcome travelers to Clinton and highlight an original stretch of the historic highway on the city’s east side. The indoor ceremony was held … Continue reading Leaders break ground on Hub City Gateway, a modern Route 66 roadside attraction, in Clinton
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville sports teams will play at least one game as the 66ers
Sports teams at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville will play at least one game in 2026 with a new nickname -- the 66ers -- to celebrate Route 66's centennial. The alter ego of the teams -- which normally are called the Cougars -- will begin on New Year's Day with men's and women's basketball games, reported the … Continue reading Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville sports teams will play at least one game as the 66ers
Groundbreaking set for Dec. 11 on Hub City Gateway in Clinton
A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held on Dec. 11 for the Hub City Gateway, a Route 66 landmark that will welcome travelers into Clinton, Oklahoma, and mark an original section of the historic highway. The project will feature a two-sided gateway that spells “Clinton” for travelers in one direction and “Route 66” in the other, … Continue reading Groundbreaking set for Dec. 11 on Hub City Gateway in Clinton
The Road Crew booked for pre-party of 2026 Texas Old Route 66 Association Motor Tour
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
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