Mark your calendars: The massively popular and elaborate Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will return to the city's downtown on Nov. 16. The lights-on ceremony for the attraction on Route 66 will be at 5 p.m. that day. KJRH-TV in nearby Tulsa reports: This year the chute is supposed to be bigger and … Continue reading Sapulpa’s Route 66 Christmas Chute to return on Nov. 16
Category: Events
Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces full schedule
The eighth annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference will be Oct. 19-22 in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, with the theme “The Great American Road Trip” and four days of speakers, tours, museums, networking, plus musical and movie entertainment. In a nod to this year's hosts, Thursday's events will be at the McLean County Museum of History … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces full schedule
Ike’s Chili in Tulsa to mark its 115th anniversary on Sept. 9
Ike's Chili in Tulsa will celebrate its 115th anniversary on Sept. 9 with a car cruise, coney-eating contest, live music and giveaways. The restaurant at 1503 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) will hold the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. Ike's will include a mini-chili cheese coney and a soda, both … Continue reading Ike’s Chili in Tulsa to mark its 115th anniversary on Sept. 9
Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff holds its grand reopening
The historic Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, held its grand reopening last week after months of renovation work on the site. The Arizona Republic was there for the big event: Originally built in 1962, the renovated hotel on Route 66 attempts to transport guests back to the era's heyday with retro-inspired futuristic designs and … Continue reading Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff holds its grand reopening
Roadside marker in Bethany commemorates musician Tommy Collins
The Oklahoma City/County Historical Society and the City of Bethany, Oklahoma, recently placed a roadside marker on Route 66 to commemorate the late songwriter and singer Tommy Collins. Collins probably is best known for writing "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin'), which was a big hit both for Faron Young and George Strait. Here's … Continue reading Roadside marker in Bethany commemorates musician Tommy Collins
Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center to hold its grand opening on Aug. 26
The Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center, housed in a former Route 66 restaurant in Pacific, Missouri, will throw a long-awaited grand opening celebration on Aug. 26. The museum, visitors center and children's museum at 1047 E. Osage St. (aka Route 66) will hold a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. that day. Hours that … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center to hold its grand opening on Aug. 26
Fred & Red’s Chili in Joplin to celebrate its centennial next month
Fred & Red's Chili in Joplin, Missouri, will mark its 100th year in business with a vintage car show, giveaways and other events on Sept. 23. The number of restaurants on Route 66 that have hit the 100-year mark likely can be counted on one hand. Ike's Chili in Tulsa comes to mind, as do … Continue reading Fred & Red’s Chili in Joplin to celebrate its centennial next month
President Biden designates new monument near Grand Canyon
President Joe Biden this week designated nearly 1 million acres as a new national monument near Grand Canyon National Park. The national monument will be called Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. "Baaj Nwaavjo" means "where tribes roam" in the native Havasupai language, and "I'tah Kukveni" means "our ancestral footprints" in the Hopi tribal … Continue reading President Biden designates new monument near Grand Canyon
Remains of WWII soldier to be buried at Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive
Almost 80 years after he died, the remains of a World War II soldier will be interred this weekend at the historic Union Miners Cemetery just off Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois. The Springfield State Journal-Register reports Army Sgt. John W. Radanovich, 23, of nearby White City, Illinois, was slain by German forces in … Continue reading Remains of WWII soldier to be buried at Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive
Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield
Re-creations or restorations of neon signs for long-defunct Route 66 businesses glowed anew on Wednesday night during a lighting ceremony at the Legends Neon Park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience contains the signs of the A. Lincoln Motel, the Coliseum Ballroom, Chain … Continue reading Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield