Kingman festival boosts local economy

The town of Kingman, Arizona, saw a sizable increase in revenue because of the International Route 66 Festival in August, according to an article in the Kingman Daily Miner. Here's the breakdown from the July-to-September period: • Nearly 39,000 travelers visited the Powerhouse Visitor Center, a 20 percent increase over the same period in 2013 … Continue reading Kingman festival boosts local economy

11,000 participate in Route 66 Marathon

A total of 11,000 people participated in a variety of races during the past weekend's Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, including the 26.2-mile main event. A few highlights on what has become one of Tulsa's biggest events in less than a decade: Jason Cook of Norman, Oklahoma, who was runner-up in last year's marathon, won … Continue reading 11,000 participate in Route 66 Marathon

Skylark Motel tower glows again

The former Skylark Motel tower on old Route 66 in St. Clair, Missouri, shined with the glow of neon again after a ceremony Saturday night at the building, which now serves as the VFW Post 2482. According to a news release about the event, about 150 people attending cheered when the light switch was thrown … Continue reading Skylark Motel tower glows again

Neon relighting of former Skylark Motel is Saturday

The relighting of the former Skylark Motel's neon -- including its distinctive glass-block tower -- will occur about dusk Saturday at the site in St. Clair, Missouri, according to a news release from the Neon Heritage Preservation Committee of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. The ceremony is scheduled to last about 20 minutes. According … Continue reading Neon relighting of former Skylark Motel is Saturday

Indian tribes will launch Route 66 tourism project

A Native American tourism group and the National Park Service will meet in New Mexico later this month to formally launch the "American Indians and Route 66" project, reported Indian Country Today. The initial meeting of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association is set for Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque. Tribal lands and … Continue reading Indian tribes will launch Route 66 tourism project

A visit to Cuba Fest

Frank Kocevar, the former co-owner of Historic Seligman Sundries, took his video camera to Cuba Fest this month in Cuba, Missouri, and chatted to a few folks there. There might be a few folks you recognize. https://youtu.be/ttQ84bUZ_tU In case you missed it, Kocevar and his wife Lynn recently sold Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, … Continue reading A visit to Cuba Fest

British photographer to open Route 66 show

If you're a reader who lives in the United Kingdom (and my host reports there is a substantial number) and are itching to experience Route 66, an upcoming photography exhibition might whet your appetite even more. Martin Smith, a British fine-arts photographer, will open a show Tuesday at the Hertford Theatre in Hertford, England, featuring images from his … Continue reading British photographer to open Route 66 show

A semblance of the Route 66 Rendezvous

This video by AmericaJR.com at the recently completed Rendezvous Back to Route 66 car show at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino, California, is illuminating. In short, this year's event -- presented by the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce -- is an effort to keep a smaller version of the Route 66 Rendezvous alive. … Continue reading A semblance of the Route 66 Rendezvous

Route 66 photo exhibit opens in Tulsa on Friday

An exhibit by photographer Jessica Harvey, "Mother Road," opens Friday at the Hardesty Arts Center in downtown Tulsa, with noted "Route 66: The Mother Road" author and Route 66 Alliance co-founder Michael Wallis speaking during the exhibition's opening. According to a news release from the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa, Wallis mentored Harvey for her two-month solo journey … Continue reading Route 66 photo exhibit opens in Tulsa on Friday

A look back at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival

The folks in Springfield, Missouri, already are publicizing next year's Birthplace of Route 66 Festival -- scheduled for Aug. 7-8 -- by showing a few of the highlights of the festival last month. That includes a performance of "Chicken Train" by some local legends, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Birthplace of Route 66 Festival from SGF … Continue reading A look back at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival