Charity motorcycle ride sees impressive growth

I've posted information about the Temple Street Route 66 Challenge fund-raiser for the Temple Street Children’s University Hospital in Dublin on this site before. But I never dreamed that this charity motorcycle ride from Chicago to Santa Monica was this successful. Tony Toner, writing for the Irish American News, has the details: In the world of … Continue reading Charity motorcycle ride sees impressive growth

New Route 66 book launches in Kingman next week

A new book from Voyageur Press, "Greetings from Route 66," will be launched on Sept. 18 during the Chillin' on Beale Street event in Kingman, Ariz. The book-launch event is sponsored by the Kingman Route 66 Association, and will be from 5 to 10 p.m. that day. Kingman resident and author Jim Hinckley, who's written several books … Continue reading New Route 66 book launches in Kingman next week

A look at Route 66 Days

Last year, the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau had a prime view of the Route 66 Days car show in town, as you will see. The Flagstaff Route 66 Car Club is hosting the event this weekend. More than 400 entrants will be there.

Music duo embarking on partial Route 66 tour

The Nashville-based duo Jeff and Vida are going on a partial Route 66 tour this month to promote their new album, "Selma Chalk." Jeff Burke and Vida Wakeman, who are husband and wife, play all-acoustic music that's described as bluegrass, old country and Americana. Four supporting musicians are part of the band. According to their … Continue reading Music duo embarking on partial Route 66 tour

Booklet on Tulsa’s neon signs to be published

The Tulsa Foundation for Architecture and Leadership Tulsa are publishing a booklet about the city's historic neon signs, including many on Route 66. The booklet, "Tulsa Vintage Neon Signs," will be distributed during a release party at one of the sites of a historic sign, El Rancho Grande restaurant on Route 66, at 5-6:45 p.m. … Continue reading Booklet on Tulsa’s neon signs to be published

Joplin marathon attracts runners from far and wide

The inaugural Mother Road Marathon that's set to run from Commerce, Okla., to Joplin, Mo., on Oct. 10 has already attracted 1,000 entrants from 34 states, according to the Joplin Globe. The event includes the full 26.2-mile marathon, a half-marathon, and a fun run. To attract that many runners with weeks to go before a … Continue reading Joplin marathon attracts runners from far and wide

The challenges of a minicar cruise

The New York Times published a good article today about the hurdles that drivers encountered in during the recently completed microcar cruise on Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. A few of those vehicles, many of which boasted itty-bitty engines of just 500 cc, encountered problems along the way: “When we got to Kingman, … Continue reading The challenges of a minicar cruise

Springfield festival will honor Bob Waldmire

The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and Car Show in Springfield, Ill., on Sept. 24-26 will pay tribute to deceased Route 66 artist and area native Bob Waldmire, according to a preview story in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Organizers announced Wednesday that proceeds from the event will go toward the Illinois Route 66 Hall … Continue reading Springfield festival will honor Bob Waldmire

Caravan of motorcycles older than the Mother Road

Dozens of long-distance motorcycle cruises are organized on the Mother Road each year. But this one is too unusual to ignore. In a few days, the Pre-1916 Motorcycle Cannonball endurance run begins in Kitty Hawk, N.C., and ends 17 days later at the shores of Santa Monica, Calif. The caravan will drive on a large … Continue reading Caravan of motorcycles older than the Mother Road

And they call the thing rodeo

Though I've lived in Oklahoma more than six years, for the first time I attended the annual Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita. Will Rogers, who grew up near Vinita and attended college there, promised townsfolk in 1934 he would return to Vinita if they put together a rodeo. Just weeks before the rodeo would … Continue reading And they call the thing rodeo