Those who are in charge of chambers of commerce on Route 66 probably should observe closely the guy who's just been hired for the same sort of job in Springfield, Ill. -- Fred Puglia. Puglia still needs City Council approval to be named chief of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. But, rest assured, the … Continue reading A tourism director worth watching
Category: Towns
Pontiac tourism rises 30 percent in one year
The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., is seeing a 30 percent increase in tourists over a year ago, according to a report in the Bloomington Pantagraph. Tourism director Ellie Alexander keeps a regular tally of visitor numbers. So the boost in tourism isn't anecdotal. An increase in the number of tour groups is mostly … Continue reading Pontiac tourism rises 30 percent in one year
A closer look at Amboy
This sprawling video by Carlos Garcia Aceves is about the Route 66 town of Amboy, Calif.; Juan Pollo restaurant chain proprietor and Amboy owner Albert Okura, and the Roy's sign in Amboy. https://youtu.be/Nb8UHIohI2g Good nuggets about the history of Amboy are found in the first eight minutes. The middle part is an interview with Okura. … Continue reading A closer look at Amboy
A possible solution to a unique problem
The city of Miami, Okla., observed an unusual problem regarding Route 66 tourism. Instead of complaining, officials took the initiative and tried to do something about it. I'll let the news release from the city (via KOAM-TV) explain: Route 66 attracts tourists from all over the world. International travelers consider Route 66 to be Classic America. … Continue reading A possible solution to a unique problem
The resiliency of the Eagles
If you have 20 minutes to spare, I urge you to watch a recent ESPN episode of "Outside the Lines." It deals with Joplin High School's football team in the weeks after the tornado that ravaged one-third of the town. Here's a trailer for the episode: https://youtu.be/VpA6FhTZKkI If you aren't moved by the final two … Continue reading The resiliency of the Eagles
Help Avilla save its post office
A few weeks ago, longtime roadie Tonya Pike and her father Tommy Pike, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, attended a public hearing about the possible closure of the post office in Avilla, Mo. This weekend, she has issued a report ... and a plea: As many of you are aware, the United … Continue reading Help Avilla save its post office
Route 66 makes a financial impact on Illinois towns
The Chicago Tribune tonight has posted a remarkable article about how Route 66 has financially impacted the towns along it. (The story's print edition will be on newsstands Saturday.) The report contains eye-popping data: While many small towns across the country are struggling to keep their downtowns afloat, Pontiac and a string of other Illinois … Continue reading Route 66 makes a financial impact on Illinois towns
Holbrook will add Route 66 twist to old festival
The city of Holbrook, Ariz., wants to add Route 66 elements to the 30th edition of its Old West Days, according to a report in The Tribune-News. The festival, set during the July 4 holiday, is being renamed Wild West Days. [...] Teri Walker of The Tribune-News unveiled a new marketing plan for the event … Continue reading Holbrook will add Route 66 twist to old festival
A quick drive through Tulsa’s Route 66
Take a trip on Route 66 through Tulsa, in about a minute and a half: https://vimeo.com/29924043 John Parham filmed this, who also produced a nice short movie about Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park.
Springfield festival sees record numbers
The 10th annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival this weekend in Springfield, Ill., saw a record number of entrants, according to a Sunday evening report by the Springfield State Journal-Register. Festival president Kim Rosendahl said 1,186 people, an increase of 50 from last year, registered for the annual cruise on Friday. Saturday numbers were … Continue reading Springfield festival sees record numbers