Oklahoma's governor recently signed the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission Act into law. That piece of news was tucked into a Tulsa World story where Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell again pledged to make the Sooner State a leader in Route 66 tourism, including a convention with stakeholders. The convention will be Dec. 3-4 at the … Continue reading Governor signs Oklahoma Route 66 centennial legislation into law
Category: Events
More details emerge about Buck Atom Space Cowboy dedication on Saturday
We've known for some weeks about the big party at 10 a.m. Saturday for the 21-foot-tall Buck Atom Space Cowboy fiberglass giant that will be dedicated at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa. Mary Beth Babcock, the effervescent owner of the souvenir store in a former gas station at 1347 E. 11th St. … Continue reading More details emerge about Buck Atom Space Cowboy dedication on Saturday
Scenes from the 2019 Arizona Route 66 Fun Run
Frank Kocevar put together this video about the just-completed Arizona Route 66 Fun Run that went from Seligman to Topock. https://vimeo.com/334349468 It's good to see Angel Delgadillo, at 92 years young, and Fun Run grand marshal Bob Boze Bell in the clip. The 2020 edition of the Fun Run will be May 1-3.
Switch is flipped on Ariston Cafe’s neon restoration
At 8:10 p.m. Saturday, the switch was flipped to show the restored neon signs and window accents for the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, during a relighting ceremony. The aim of the restoration was to show what the Route 66 restaurant looked like shortly after it opened in Litchfield in July 1935. The Ariston originally … Continue reading Switch is flipped on Ariston Cafe’s neon restoration
Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington holds its grand reopening
The Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, held its grand reopening Friday, although the Route 66 restaurant had been open for several weeks to long lines to test its food offerings. Holly Barker and Tully Garrett purchased the long-closed restaurant in the fall of 2017. According to The Herald-News in nearby Joliet: Barker said they … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington holds its grand reopening
Restored Ariston Cafe sign reinstalled; relighting ceremony is Saturday
Historic neon signs that hung above the entrance of the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, for decades were reinstalled Monday after their restoration, days before a relighting ceremony this Saturday. Jim Thole passed along some details about the reinstallation by a St. Louis sign company: The "Ariston Cafe" sign had been repainted sometime during its … Continue reading Restored Ariston Cafe sign reinstalled; relighting ceremony is Saturday
Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington to reopen Wednesday
The Parkview Inn, which was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2016, will reopen Wednesday morning at its old Route 66 location in Bloomington, Illinois. The reopening date, set last week, will occur in spite of a vandal who smashed a plate-glass window at the venerable restaurant over the weekend. The restaurant is insured for … Continue reading Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington to reopen Wednesday
Dedication for Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa set for May 20
A dedication for the massive Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 20. According to a news release from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association via city planner Dennis Whitaker: Mayor G.T. Bynum and City Councilor Crista Patrick will host this event, joined by guests from out of town: the artist … Continue reading Dedication for Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa set for May 20
Jack Rabbit Trading Post to host 70th birthday bash on July 6
The Jack Rabbit Trading Post near Joseph City, Arizona, will host a special birthday bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 6 to mark the Route 66 business' 70th anniversary. The event will include food vendors, a bake sale, giveaways, children's activities and a grand prize for anyone who finds the painted rabbit rock … Continue reading Jack Rabbit Trading Post to host 70th birthday bash on July 6
Launching Pad Drive-In’s grand reopening weekend set for May 3
The grand reopening of the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, is set for the weekend of May 3, coinciding with the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival. The gala begins May 3 with the Route 66 restaurant's first cruise night by the Rusty Nutz Car Club. The Red Carpet Festival begins that … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In’s grand reopening weekend set for May 3