A news release a few days ago reported the Route 66 Alliance and the National Historic Route 66 Federation had formalized their affiliation with each other and bring them under the umbrella of the fledgling U.S. 66 Highway Association. The merger between the two organizations was announced months ago, as was the revival of the … Continue reading Route 66 Alliance getting out of the festival business
Category: Events
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to play at Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, along with special guest Pure Prairie League, will perform Aug. 14 at the historic Gillioz Theatre during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, according to the Springfield News-Leader. The country-rock band, which has been around for almost 50 years, is best-known for its cover of "Mr. Bojangles" … Continue reading Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to play at Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Michael Wallis appears on C-SPAN
"Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis talks about Cyrus Avery, Tulsa, and the history of Route 66 during a 14-minute segment on the C-SPAN cable channel. This segment was filmed just a few weeks ago in Tulsa. The video cannot be linked, so go to the link here so you can watch it … Continue reading Michael Wallis appears on C-SPAN
Route 66 advocate named to Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame
Sally Bourne Ferrell of Chandler, Oklahoma, an early leader in the creation of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and one of the champions in restoring a historic armory that became the Route 66 Interpretive Center, was announced as an inductee to the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame, according to a report in The Oklahoman newspaper. The induction … Continue reading Route 66 advocate named to Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame
Romeoville art fair will include Bob Waldmire tribute
The inaugural Route 66 Kiwanis Art Fair in Romeoville, Illinois, on Aug. 22 will include a tribute to late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Edward Hospital Athletic and Event Center at 55 Phelps Ave. in Romeoville (map here), less than a … Continue reading Romeoville art fair will include Bob Waldmire tribute
Route 66 festival planned in Europe in 2016
Route 66 aficionados across the pond in the past week have organized a European Route 66 Festival in 2016 that already includes firm dates, activities and the logo you see above. Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Dries Bessels of the Netherlands created the European Route66 Festival page on Facebook -- which is a closed group, but … Continue reading Route 66 festival planned in Europe in 2016
Big Texan record-holder returning next month
Molly Schuyler, who destroyed the Big Texan Steak Ranch's 72-ounce steak challenge record by polishing off the meal in less than five minutes, is coming back to the landmark Amarillo restaurant April 19 to not only defend her title, but eat three of those monster slabs of meat and all the sides in under an … Continue reading Big Texan record-holder returning next month
Kingman will create annual Route 66 festival
Inspired by last year's International Route 66 Festival, residents and the city of Kingman, Arizona, are planning on a big Route 66 event each year, reported the Daily Miner newspaper. The festival will be called Best of the West on Route 66, and it will combine popular car shows and the annual Andy Devine Days … Continue reading Kingman will create annual Route 66 festival
Hundreds turn out for Gary Turner memorial
Hundreds of people gathered Sunday afternoon for a celebration of life for Gary Turner, the owner of the Gay Parita Sinclair station west of Halltown, Missouri. The KY3 television station out of nearby Springfield, Missouri, had a short video from the event. Alas, I cannot embed it, so you'll have to go straight to the … Continue reading Hundreds turn out for Gary Turner memorial
300 attend Gasconade Bridge rally
Multiple reports Saturday indicated about 300 people attended a rally urging the preservation and reopening of the historic Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri. The Lebanon Daily Record newspaper, KLOR-TV and KTTS radio covered the event. However, the best report probably was the one by KY3 in Springfield, Missouri. It covered a lot of issues … Continue reading 300 attend Gasconade Bridge rally