Using the upcoming Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Weekend as a jumping-off point, the Bloomington Pantagraph takes a look at the current state of the Mother Road in the Land of Lincoln. And despite current problems like a faltering economy and high fuel prices, the future of Route 66 looks bright. "International travelers come from … Continue reading State of the road in Illinois
Category: Events
‘American Idol’ contestant to perform at Berdoo Bikes fest
Amanda Overmyer, a recently deposed contestant on this season's "American Idol," will perform a show during the inaugural Berdoo Bikes & Blues Festival in San Bernardino, Calif., according to a news release today. Opening ceremonies will include her version of the Star Spangled Banner on Friday, May 2, on the Time Warner "D" Street stage … Continue reading ‘American Idol’ contestant to perform at Berdoo Bikes fest
Prime the pumps
The gas pumps at Roy's in Amboy, Calif., began working again in earnest on Thursday, reports the Inland Press-Enterprise. Hundreds of travelers, including motorcyclists on the annual Laughlin River Run, stopped in to cool off with sodas and water and to fuel their vehicles. Even before Okura formally reopened the restored gas station at 11:30 … Continue reading Prime the pumps
Webb City’s loss may be Route 66’s gain
Webb City, Mo., has decided to pull the plug on its annual Mining Days after 29 years, reports the Joplin Globe. It usually was held in the last week of September. However: In its place, the city wants to put on a series of other annual festivals with different themes in the downtown area, including … Continue reading Webb City’s loss may be Route 66’s gain
“Abe on 66” bookstore opens tomorrow
Remember the announcement about an "Abe on 66" bookstore in Bloomington, Ill., which specializes in items from Route 66, Abraham Lincoln and "The Wizard of Oz"? It opens Friday. It's at 402 1/2 N. Main St. (map here). However, this excerpt from the Bloomington Pantagraph's story troubled me: Initial store hours at Abe on 66 … Continue reading “Abe on 66” bookstore opens tomorrow
Michael Martin Murphey to perform benefit for Route 66 center
Michael Martin Murphey, best-known for his hits "What's Forever For" and "Wildfire," will perform a solo show in the historic Armory building in Chandler, Okla., at 7 p.m. Sunday, reports the Tulsa World. General admission tickets are $20 each, with reserved seating $30 each. All proceeds will go toward the Route 66 Interpretive Center, which … Continue reading Michael Martin Murphey to perform benefit for Route 66 center
First look of Carthage museum coming up
The public will get its first look at a Route 66 display for the Jasper County Courthouse on April 16, reports the Carthage (Mo.) Press. The person in charge of the Route 66 display is Brad Belk, executive director of the nearby Joplin Museum Complex. The cost of the museum is being partially paid for … Continue reading First look of Carthage museum coming up
Riding tall
A few days ago, there was a story about the world's largest rocking chair on Route 66. Now there's the world's tallest motorcycle. The inaugural Berdoo Bikes & Blues Rendezvous, an offshoot of the Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., will have the "Dream Big" motorcycle at the event on May 2-3, reports the … Continue reading Riding tall
World’s largest rocking chair set up in Missouri
First off, this is not an April Fools' Day joke. Today, a rocking chair that's 46 feet tall was set up on old Route 66 four miles west of Cuba, Mo. It's next to the Fanning U.S. 66 Outpost & General Store in the tiny settlement of Fanning. According to the news release, the big … Continue reading World’s largest rocking chair set up in Missouri
Vince Gill has new song set on Route 66
Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill performed an intimate concert in Oklahoma City on Thursday night, partly as a fundraiser to renovate the auditorium for the city's public schools and partly to receive the 2007 Oklahoman of the Year Award from Oklahoma Today magazine. Here's the interesting item about the show, straight from Gill's … Continue reading Vince Gill has new song set on Route 66