The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is inviting K-12 students across the Albuquerque metro area to help bring the magic of hot air balloons to life as part of a special youth art exhibition celebrating the Route 66 centennial. Opening in June, the museum’s Route 66 exhibit will feature a black-and-white mural created by … Continue reading Balloon Museum in Albuquerque launches student art contest for Route 66 centennial show
Category: Events
University of Tulsa exhibition displays work of Afton photography studio
The University of Tulsa is hosting an exhibition, “Faces of the Mother Road: The Last Portraits of S.J. Tyler,” at 101 Archer for two months as part of the start of Route 66's centennial before it goes out on the road. The show features images from Sydney Joseph Tyler’s Photography Studio in Afton, Oklahoma, which … Continue reading University of Tulsa exhibition displays work of Afton photography studio
Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series to begin next month
Research Route 66 will kick off a Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series in January, when the first guest is David Dunaway, talking about "The Hidden Voices of Route 66." Throughout the series, participants will hear about diverse topics that highlight Route 66’s impact and legacy. Sessions will cover the history of foodways along the road, … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series to begin next month
Holiday leftovers
Here are a few items that have crossed the Route 66 News desk in recent weeks: --- The board of directors of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival distributed $10,000 to five local charities in the Springfield, Illinois, area. For the first time in the event’s history, funds generated by the festival were distributed to … Continue reading Holiday leftovers
Exhibition baseball game to be held behind walls of Old Joliet Prison
The Joliet Slammers independent baseball team will hold an exhibition game at 3:05 p.m. April 30 at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois, to celebrate Route 66's centennial. The Joliet Area Historical Museum and the City of Joliet announced the game, reported WGN-TV in Chicago. “‘The Big House Ballgame’ is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to … Continue reading Exhibition baseball game to be held behind walls of Old Joliet Prison
Leaders break ground on Hub City Gateway, a modern Route 66 roadside attraction, in Clinton
Oklahoma and local leaders joined West OK Co-Op last Thursday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Hub City Gateway, a new modern roadside attraction along Route 66 that uses large-scale art and architecture to welcome travelers to Clinton and highlight an original stretch of the historic highway on the city’s east side. The indoor ceremony was held … Continue reading Leaders break ground on Hub City Gateway, a modern Route 66 roadside attraction, in Clinton
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville sports teams will play at least one game as the 66ers
Sports teams at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville will play at least one game in 2026 with a new nickname -- the 66ers -- to celebrate Route 66's centennial. The alter ego of the teams -- which normally are called the Cougars -- will begin on New Year's Day with men's and women's basketball games, reported the … Continue reading Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville sports teams will play at least one game as the 66ers
Groundbreaking set for Dec. 11 on Hub City Gateway in Clinton
A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held on Dec. 11 for the Hub City Gateway, a Route 66 landmark that will welcome travelers into Clinton, Oklahoma, and mark an original section of the historic highway. The project will feature a two-sided gateway that spells “Clinton” for travelers in one direction and “Route 66” in the other, … Continue reading Groundbreaking set for Dec. 11 on Hub City Gateway in Clinton
The Road Crew booked for pre-party of 2026 Texas Old Route 66 Association Motor Tour
The Texas Old Route 66 Association announced this week that The Road Crew music group will perform on Oct. 1 at the pre-party of the association's 2026 Motor Tour in Shamrock, Texas. The fifth annual Route 66 Motor Tour will take place on Oct. 2-3, 2026, during the highway's centennial. The Nashville-based group, called "America's … Continue reading The Road Crew booked for pre-party of 2026 Texas Old Route 66 Association Motor Tour
Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration
As the Mother Road marks its 99th anniversary, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission this week unveiled early plans and programming for the Route 66 centennial in 2026. The yearlong celebration will spotlight Oklahoma’s role in preserving and promoting one of America’s most storied highways. The announcement kicks off … Continue reading Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration