Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week announced the latest round of the Byway Project Funds program to provide financial assistance to byway members. Byway Project Funds are meant to support events, marketing and advertising efforts, and projects that help preserve the heritage of Illinois Route 66 and promote travel to Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants

New Mexico Route 66 Association to honor Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque

The New Mexico Route 66 Association on Saturday will give its Heritage Award to Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque at noon Saturday. According to a news release from the association, it is recognizing the "revitalization of this classic Route 66 motel into a whimsical, memorable experience with piZAZZ." Originally opened as Albuquerque TraveLodge East in 1966, … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association to honor Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque

Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1

The landmark Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville, Missouri, will mark its 100th year with a celebration on April 1 at nearby Roy Laughlin Memorial Park. The party will be from 1 to 3 p.m. that day, a Saturday. The park is easily accessed via Spring Road on the east side of Roubidoux Creek. According to the … Continue reading Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1

Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Gigantar, a 24-foot-long guitar that was fashioned for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, was installed and later dedicated during a lighting ceremony attended by hundreds of people on Friday evening despite near-freezing temperatures. Cheap Trick guitarist and co-founder Rick Nielsen, a member of both the Illinois Rock & … Continue reading Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission, citing the success of the city's neon-sign grant program, recently announced it would launch a similar grant program for special events. The commission stated in a Facebook post the new program is designed to "encourage heritage tourism and economic development through special Route 66 events and to help Tulsa prepare … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events

A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia

An Oklahoma City television station recently produced a feature about the neon-sign paradise that is Jim Ross and Shellee Graham's backyard near Arcadia, Oklahoma. The segment is part of KFOR-TV's ongoing "Is This a Great State or What?!" series. https://youtu.be/XAASN-4ZsPI Ross and Graham host a Neonfest in their backyard each October if you want to … Continue reading A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia

Largest handmade guitar sculpture coming to Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

A 24-foot-tall handmade guitar sculpture proclaimed as the world's largest will be coming to the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, Illinois. The work, called Gigantar, will begin a nearly one-week road trip to the museum with a launch party at the legendary Stone Pony nightclub in Asbury Park, New … Continue reading Largest handmade guitar sculpture coming to Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita sets March 25 for relighting ceremony for restored neon sign

The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, announced it would hold a relighting ceremony on March 25 for its soon-to-be-restored neon sign. The Route 66 restaurant posted photos Friday of the sign being removed "so it can be completely refurbished back to its historical glory." The restaurant added it would be the first time in more … Continue reading Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita sets March 25 for relighting ceremony for restored neon sign

Illinois Office of Tourism to enter first-ever float for Tournament of Roses Parade

The Illinois Office of Tourism is making its first-ever float for the annual Tournament of Roses Parade along Route 66 on Jan. 2 in Pasadena, California. The 24-foot-tall float features nearly 30,000 flowers and took about 22,000 volunteer hours to create, according to a news release. More about the float: The Enjoy Illinois float will … Continue reading Illinois Office of Tourism to enter first-ever float for Tournament of Roses Parade

Edmond in talks to take over ownership of Route 66 in the city

The city of Edmond, Oklahoma, has begun preliminary talks with the state Department of Transportation to take over Route 66 and U.S. 77 in town. The Oklahoma-based NonDoc journalism site had the story: “The discussion we have with ODOT is, ‘is there a future where they do a full reconstruct of (Route) 77 and 66 … Continue reading Edmond in talks to take over ownership of Route 66 in the city