Decades before San Bernardino, Calif., started its humongously popular Route 66 Rendezvous, the city had its Covered Wagon Days, reports historian Nicholas R. Cataldo in the San Bernardino County Sun. The festival, which paid tribute to the city's Old West days, started in the 1930s. For four days in November, there was a covered wagon … Continue reading Before the Route 66 Rendezvous
Category: Events
Festival heads to finish line
The Springfield Journal-Register wraps up the final day of the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield, Ill., with the car judging. There were 980 cars entered into the festival, with 118 awards. Rosendahl said planning for next year's event is already under way and potential improvements are in the works, including more demonstrations … Continue reading Festival heads to finish line
A look back at the Gillioz Theatre’s history
A professor and his students at Missouri State University performed months of research into the historic Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, Mo. The Springfield News-Leader reports that the result of that research is a 96-page book, "The Gillioz 'Theatre Beautiful': Celebrating Springfield's Theatre History, 1926-2006." The book won't be available until next month, but details on … Continue reading A look back at the Gillioz Theatre’s history
Classic humor
The Springfield Journal-Register talks to owners of the more whimsical owners of classic cars at the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield, Ill., including one who says he keeps a Mini Cooper in the trunk of his 1966 Mercury.
Storm threat causes cancellations at festival
The threat of severe storms persuaded organizers at the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield, Ill., to pull the plug on the scheduled entertainment for Friday evening, reported the Springfield Journal-Register. Even though the storms that hit Springfield that evening weren't too bad, it was probably the right decision. There were reports of … Continue reading Storm threat causes cancellations at festival
Racing in the streets
One-sixteenth of a mile of downtown Beale Street in the Route 66 town of Kingman, Ariz., will be the site of drag-racing today -- everything from street-legal vehicles to alcohol-fueled monsters, according to the Daily Miner. It's a big deal. The organizer is expecting 10,000 spectators for the event, and proceeds will go toward building … Continue reading Racing in the streets
Route 66 Rendezvous earns diverse praise
The massive Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., gets a lot of accolades every year. Black Voice News Online singled it out for its diversity -- especially at a time when its host city is struggling with record homicide rates. DeJaun and Valerie Lofton have been coming to the rendezvous for 8 years. "This … Continue reading Route 66 Rendezvous earns diverse praise
Weather worries at Springfield festival
The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival begins in Springfield, Ill., this weekend. But weather forecasters and festival organizers are concerned about the climate conditions. Thunderstorms with the possibility of high winds, hail and even tornadoes are predicted on Friday evening and Saturday. Of course, rain would put a damper on attendance at the event, … Continue reading Weather worries at Springfield festival
Route 66 blogger roundup
An anonymous poster on LiveJournal puts up a few black-and-white photographs of the rapidly decaying Shalimar Inn on Route 66 in Gallup, N.M., which probably will see the wrecking ball soon. Jabopper and Fajzha continue their motorcycle tour of Route 66 through Illinois and a part of Missouri. Roger Kramer's Favorite Cycling Tours reports that … Continue reading Route 66 blogger roundup
Bring an appetite
A Taste of Route 66, described as a "self-paced dining tour," is scheduled for Saturday in the Pomona, Calif., area. There will be four stops, and a lot of prizes will be given to participants. The fee is $16 in advance or $19 on the day of the event. It starts at the Pomona Elks … Continue reading Bring an appetite