In the last few weeks, a dude in a big teddy bear costume has been walking east along Route 66. He's been posting on Facebook under the "I am Bearsun" account and also on Instagram. He also has a website. A couple of examples: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bearsun (@iambearsun) … Continue reading So who’s the big teddy bear walking along Route 66?
Category: Road trips
Next phase of Oklahoma Music Trail to launch at Route 66 Heritage Festival
The next phase of the Oklahoma Music Trail will be launched this weekend at the inaugural Route 66 Heritage Festival in downtown Miami, Oklahoma. The trail currently is a well-developed website shepherded by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also is Oklahoma's tourism chief and a big Route 66 advocate. The Joplin Globe had details on … Continue reading Next phase of Oklahoma Music Trail to launch at Route 66 Heritage Festival
Denny’s launching America’s Diner Hiring Tour along Route 66
Denny's on Thursday announced it is launching an "America's Diner Hiring Tour" on Route 66 from St. Louis to Los Angeles to hire 20,000 new workers for its restaurant chain. The tour will make stops at these locations: Monday, June 28, at 8 a.m. – 10575 Watson Road, St. Louis, MissouriTuesday, June 29, at 8 a.m. – 1617 SW 74th Street, Oklahoma CityWednesday, … Continue reading Denny’s launching America’s Diner Hiring Tour along Route 66
2021 Great Race will make stops next week in Sapulpa, Joplin, Rolla
The annual Hemmings Motor News Great Race of antique automobiles will wind through northeastern Oklahoma and half of Missouri on Route 66 next week. The event will make a lunch stop at 12:15 p.m. Monday at the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and make an overnight stop in downtown Joplin, Missouri, … Continue reading 2021 Great Race will make stops next week in Sapulpa, Joplin, Rolla
Veteran journalist bicycles length of Route 66 during pandemic for a future book
Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Kogan recently caught up with veteran journalist Michael Sean Comerford, who cycled the length of Route 66 during the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year and talked to scores of people along the way. Comerford began his journey from Chicago in March, averaging 35 to 70 miles daily, with a sign affixed … Continue reading Veteran journalist bicycles length of Route 66 during pandemic for a future book
Tourism recovering rapidly in Amarillo region after COVID-19 pandemic
In another sign Route 66 is recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, Amarillo reported stronger-than-expected tourism numbers in late 2020. KAMR-TV in Amarillo got some interesting data from the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau: What they saw was last quarter of 2020 numbers outperforming numbers they saw in 2019, which itself was a growth year for … Continue reading Tourism recovering rapidly in Amarillo region after COVID-19 pandemic
The improved second edition of Route 66 Passport now is available
Touch Media, best known for its Route 66 Navigation app, has released an improved second edition of its Route 66 Passport after a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The passport already is available to travelers at many Route 66 distribution points and at its e-commerce website. A full list of the 39 locations … Continue reading The improved second edition of Route 66 Passport now is available
El Reno hosting a cruise Friday on the original alignment of Route 66
El Reno, Oklahoma, on Friday is hosting an intriguing event -- a cruise on the original alignment of Route 66 in the city. The cruise begins northbound on Shepard Avenue at Business 40 and U.S. 81, turns west onto Elm Street, turns north onto Hoff Avenue, turns west onto Wade Street, turns briefly north onto … Continue reading El Reno hosting a cruise Friday on the original alignment of Route 66
Illinois Tourism launches “Time for Me to Drive” campaign
The Illinois Department of Tourism earlier this month launched a $6 million "Time for Me to Drive" campaign, which includes a significant nod to Route 66. Here is a 30-second ad for the campaign, where the Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington and a few other Route 66 sites make prominent appearances: … Continue reading Illinois Tourism launches “Time for Me to Drive” campaign
Oklahoma bucked travel slump during COVID-19 pandemic
The state of Oklahoma did better than the U.S. in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Route 66 playing a major role. The Center Square, which specializes in state- and local-level government and economic reporting, talked to David White, legislative liaison for Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. White said the Sooner State's tourism industry did … Continue reading Oklahoma bucked travel slump during COVID-19 pandemic