Towns along Route 66 are being asked to submit a proposal to be an official Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Host City when the highway marks its 100th anniversary in 2026. The proposed kick-off date would be April 30, 2026 -- the day in 1926 that the number 66 was assigned as the official number for … Continue reading Request for proposals issued for cities that want to be Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off site
Category: Events
Frank and Lynne’s video Christmas card for 2024
In what's become a tradition at Route 66 News, here is the annual video Christmas card from Frank and Lynne Kocevar, the former owners of the Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona. This is the 15th annual card they've done. Scenes come from Safford, Arizona; Granbury, Texas; Mineral Wells, Texas; Payson, Arizona; Fountain Hills, Arizona; … Continue reading Frank and Lynne’s video Christmas card for 2024
Buc-ee’s opens in Amarillo, the second location near Route 66 corridor
A new Buc-ee's convenience store opened Monday on the east side of Amarillo, Texas -- the 66th location in the Texas-based chain and the second near the Route 66 corridor. The first Buc-ee's along Route 66 opened in December 2023 in Springfield, Missouri. The opening ceremony included George Strait's classic song "Amarillo by Morning" being … Continue reading Buc-ee’s opens in Amarillo, the second location near Route 66 corridor
Claremore to host Andy Payne Route 66 Race in April
The Route 66 town of Claremore, Oklahoma, will host the Andy Payne Route 66 Race 5K and fun run on the morning of April 12 as part of the highway's centennial celebrations. The Claremore Daily Progress reports that proceeds from the race will benefit the Claremore Museum of History. Those who sign up by March … Continue reading Claremore to host Andy Payne Route 66 Race in April
Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm in Tulsa opens to the public
Part art installation and roadside attraction, the Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm in southwest Tulsa opened to the public last weekend. It is the brainchild of Josh and Amanda Stout, who own an art gallery across the street. Last winter, they put out a call for artificial Christmas trees -- not expecting they would receive … Continue reading Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm in Tulsa opens to the public
New Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument unveiled in Oklahoma City
A new Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument was installed last week in Oklahoma City along Northwest 23rd Street, a prominent alignment of Route 66 in the city. Mayor David Holt stated in several posts on social media that the sign is one of several that will be installed in the city. The new sign is … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument unveiled in Oklahoma City
Gemini Giant returns to Wilmington with a big welcome-home bash
The Gemini Giant fiberglass statue, which once stood at the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant, returned to Wilmington, Illinois, when it was dedicated Saturday at its new location at South Island Park. The event featured live music, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, a mobile diner and commemorative memorabilia. The 28-foot-tall Gemini Giant returned to Wilmington with a … Continue reading Gemini Giant returns to Wilmington with a big welcome-home bash
New historical marker recognizes El Reno’s fried onion burger heritage
A new “Hungry for History” historic marker recently was planted in El Reno, Oklahoma, that recognizes the city's heritage as the birthplace of the fried onion burger. The marker, facilitated by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, was placed at the northeast corner of Wade Street and Choctaw Avenue, which also is Route 66, in El … Continue reading New historical marker recognizes El Reno’s fried onion burger heritage
Relighting ceremony held for former Saratoga Motor Inn sign in Tulsa
The Wings of Freedom sober-living organization held a relighting ceremony Friday night for the repurposed, 66-foot-tall neon sign at the former Saratoga Motor Inn in Tulsa. Ken Busby of the Route 66 Alliance in Tulsa was there to capture the moment in video: Red Fork Depot in Tulsa also posted this image: More from Cloudless … Continue reading Relighting ceremony held for former Saratoga Motor Inn sign in Tulsa
Grand reopening set for Nov. 20 at The Imperial motel in Albuquerque
The reborn Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque, also known as simply The Imperial, is holding its grand reopening celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 20. KOB-TV in Albuquerque the celebration will include tours of the motel's retail spaces, some of which are still available for rent. The motel's website states: This 1960's gem … Continue reading Grand reopening set for Nov. 20 at The Imperial motel in Albuquerque