The Gallup (N.M.) Independent published a fascinating story about future-ownership controversy over nearby Red Rock Park. The city owns the park, which hosts the popular Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial and other events each year. But maintaining the park has put a strain on the city's budget -- and Red Rock needs millions of dollars more … Continue reading Who will own Red Rock Park?
Category: Events
Winslow takes it easy
The Christian Science Monitor tells the story of how the Route 66 town of Winslow, Ariz., has capitalized on The Eagles' song "Take It Easy" and its mention of a certain corner. The Monitor says Winslow didn't start to cash in on the song until 1997. I'm surprised it waited that long, as "Take It … Continue reading Winslow takes it easy
Notes from the road
We discovered that Wings Hamburgers and Brother Arthur's Bililian Fish at 3409 E. Admiral in Tulsa has closed. There will be an auction at 10 a.m. Saturday to sell off the contents -- including a slew of collectibles -- of the recently shuttered Hillbillee's Cafe and Bed and Breakfast in Arcadia, Okla. More details from … Continue reading Notes from the road
Okie Twist-off was a hot time
It's safe to say that the first annual Okie Twist-off at the 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City was a success. Reports the Daily Oklahoman: The result was the largest crowd to swell at 66 Bowl since it opened in 1959, owner Jim Haynes said. With 750 individual wristbands sold for the first-time event, Beck said, … Continue reading Okie Twist-off was a hot time
Riding for peace
The Pontiac Daily Leader caught up with Vietnam War veteran Lane Anderson as he and other members of Veterans for Peace ride bicycles down old Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis to attend an anti-war convention. Anderson is an environmentalist -- not because he's a treehugger, but so America will use less oil and … Continue reading Riding for peace
Retro fest
A few Oklahoma City aficionados of rockabilly and punk music, hot rods and pinups have been going to festivals of such ilk for years. Now they've decided to organize an annual festival of their own -- at the 66 Bowl on Route 66 in OKC, reports the Daily Oklahoman. The Okie Twist-off Kustom Culture Extravaganza … Continue reading Retro fest
Grand opening set for animal park
Animal Paradise Family Fun Park on old Route 66 near Strafford, Mo., is holding a grand opening -- or a grand re-opening, really -- this weekend, reports the Springfield News-Leader. The new owners of the former Exotic Animal Paradise have added new wrinkles to the operation, including a go-kart track called the Route 66 Speedway … Continue reading Grand opening set for animal park
Bicycle ride protests war, oil dependence
A group of veterans is slated to bicycle down Route 66 in Illinois next week to protest the Iraq War and America's dependence on foreign oil, reports the Bloomington Pantagraph. Ride for Peace will make varying stops along the route between the Vietnam Veterans Against the War annual convention in Chicago and the Veterans for … Continue reading Bicycle ride protests war, oil dependence
Route 66 cuisine to be at Epcot Center
Walt Disney World's Epcot Center in Florida will host the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival from Sept. 28 to Nov. 11, which will feature Oklahoma and Route 66 diner foods, according to the Journal Record, based in Oklahoma. The festival showcases no less than 25 international marketplaces featuring tapas-sized portions of regional specialty foods … Continue reading Route 66 cuisine to be at Epcot Center
Notes from the road
Dida Zende, an artist based in Berlin, is looking for at least one old gas station along Route 66 to repaint so it resembles a FIT art gallery (above). It would be repainted mostly white, with a bit of red trim and the FIT logo. Zende wants to come do this free of charge in … Continue reading Notes from the road