The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway a few days ago announced the finalists for its 2026 Centennial Awards. The awards recognize milestones, preservation achievements, marketing efforts, hospitality and experiences that have helped define Illinois Route 66 since the byway was established in 2005. They coincide with the Mother Road’s centennial year. “We wanted these awards … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces finalists for 2026 Centennial Awards
Category: Events
NM Route 66 Alliance sets up gas station-themed booth at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta
If you're going to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the New Mexico Department of Tourism's Visitor Center on the fiesta grounds is celebrating the Route 66 centennial with a retro gas-station installation. Marisol Lucero, Tourism Development director, reached out to the New Mexico Route 66 Alliance to create a one-of-a-kind tourism information tourism center. Alliance … Continue reading NM Route 66 Alliance sets up gas station-themed booth at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta
Chicagoan wins Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring 51 in 10 minutes
Pat Bertoletti of Chicago won the title at the Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring a stomach-churning 51 in 10 minutes on Saturday in Springfield, Illinois. That far outpaced the runner-up, Darrien Thomas of Toronto, who ate 37 1/2 Cozy Dogs. Jerome Burns of Danbury, Connecticut, finished third with 25. Bertoletti was considered the … Continue reading Chicagoan wins Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring 51 in 10 minutes
Competitive eaters to face off at Cozy Dog Eating World Championship
A group of the world’s top competitive eaters will gather in Springfield, Illinois, to compete at the inaugural Cozy Dog Eating World Championship at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26. The event is part of the larger Mother Road Festival, a celebration marking 100 years of Route 66. Sanctioned by Major League Eating, the contest will … Continue reading Competitive eaters to face off at Cozy Dog Eating World Championship
Neon sign for Western Motel in Sayre lit for the first time since the 1980s
The switch was thrown for the restored neon sign at the Western Motel in Sayre, Oklahoma, during a ceremony on Saturday night. The City of Sayre stated it was the first time the neon glowed at the Route 66 motel since the 1980s. Here's a short video by Noreen Patterson of the countdown of the … Continue reading Neon sign for Western Motel in Sayre lit for the first time since the 1980s
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway to host inaugural Mother Road Conference on 100th anniversary of highway
On Nov. 11, exactly 100 years after the commissioning of Route 66, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway will host its inaugural Mother Road Conference at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield. The conference will bring together Route 66 business owners, tourism professionals, preservationists, enthusiasts, elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the highway’s centennial … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway to host inaugural Mother Road Conference on 100th anniversary of highway
“Exhibiting Route 66” is part of this month’s Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
Jeffrey Richardson, curator of the traveling "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit, will explain how artifacts were chosen as part of this month's Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. The free streaming session will be broadcast at 2 p.m. Eastern time and 11 a.m. Pacific on Sept. 8 from the Autry Museum of the … Continue reading “Exhibiting Route 66” is part of this month’s Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway launches inaugural awards
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is launching the inaugural Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Awards, celebrating the businesses, attractions, communities and individuals who contribute to the continued vitality and legacy of Route 66 in Illinois. With Route 66 celebrating its 100th anniversary, the new awards provide an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the people and … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway launches inaugural awards
Massive replica of Tillamook cheddar cheese loaf appears at Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff
If you want to know what a cheese loaf looks like 32,000 times its normal size, you ought to pay a visit to the Americana Motor Hotel along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Cheesemaker Tillmook and the motel unveiled the gargantuan replica of a Medium Cheddar Baby Loaf -- dubbed a Cheeseside Attraction -- on … Continue reading Massive replica of Tillamook cheddar cheese loaf appears at Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff
Catoosa hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Route 66 monument at Gazebo Park
The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, held a ribbon cutting on Thursday for a new Route 66 monument at Gazebo Park, celebrating the community’s history along the Mother Road. Given to the City by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, the monument features artwork directed by the local community that highlights Catoosa’s Route 66 story. It is one of … Continue reading Catoosa hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Route 66 monument at Gazebo Park