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

Illinois launches new Route 66 motor festival

Illinois Route 66 hosts its Red Carpet Corridor Festival in the northern part of the state each May. This June, a Blue Carpet Corridor Festival will celebrate the southern part of the Mother Road in the Land of Lincoln. According to the State Journal-Register, a rolling Route 66 festival will run from Chatham (just south … Continue reading Illinois launches new Route 66 motor festival

Edwardsville Route 66 Conference is back on

The Edwardsville Route 66 Conference is set for Oct. 29-31 at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois, after it was abruptly canceled a few weeks ago. The Illinois Route 66 Blue Carpet Corridor Coalition is sponsoring the event. Online registration for the event will begin about April 1. The event is called "Miles of Possibility: The … Continue reading Edwardsville Route 66 Conference is back on

After the Gasconade River Bridge rally may be the important part

A week from today, a group of Route 66 aficionados and historic preservationists will hold a rally to save the now-closed Gasconade River Bridge that carried old Route 66 near Hazelgreen, Missouri. The rally Saturday at the west end of the bridge is designed to draw media attention. But the most noteworthy part of the … Continue reading After the Gasconade River Bridge rally may be the important part