Annual butter cow sculpture at the Illinois State Fair adds a Route 66 twist

For decades, the Illinois State Fair in Springfield has featured a butter-cow sculpture inside a refrigerated case. This year, the butter cow is back, but with a new Route 66 element. The State of Illinois reports the sculpture is titled "Take a Spin on Route 66": While the iconic Butter Cow remains the centerpiece of … Continue reading Annual butter cow sculpture at the Illinois State Fair adds a Route 66 twist

25-foot neon corndog erected at Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fairgrounds

A 25-foot-long neon corndog -- condiments included -- was erected Monday at the Route 66 Experience park near the southeast entrance of the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The big corndog serves as a salute to the landmark Cozy Dog Drive-In restaurant along Route 66 in Springfield. More from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: … Continue reading 25-foot neon corndog erected at Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fairgrounds

Illinois State Fair in Springfield going all out for Route 66

The Illinois State Fair in Springfield announced that not only will there be an ice cream flavor saluting the Mother Road, but Route 66 itself will also be a grand marshal of the fair's opening parade. Route 66 has taken on a more prominent role at the fair in recent years, including the establishment of … Continue reading Illinois State Fair in Springfield going all out for Route 66

Illinois governor announces $4 million in tourism grants for Route 66’s centennial

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday joined with other state leaders mark the kickoff of Route 66's centennial and announced $4 million in grants for numerous tourism bureaus to boost that effort. The announcement was made in Granite City with officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Agriculture … Continue reading Illinois governor announces $4 million in tourism grants for Route 66’s centennial

Route 66-themed giant slide at Illinois State Fair will be open each Saturday through mid-August

The Illinois State Fair's giant slide -- which recently got a Route 66-themed paint job -- will open each Saturday until the start of the fair on Aug. 10-20. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, it is the first time the slide has been open during non-fair hours. The slide will be open from 2 … Continue reading Route 66-themed giant slide at Illinois State Fair will be open each Saturday through mid-August

Company posts another preview of A. Lincoln Motel neon sign re-creation

Ace Sign Co. of Springfield, Illinois, posted another sneak peek of a re-created sign from the long-gone A. Lincoln Motel that stood on Route 66 in the city. The sign soon will be installed at the Route 66 Experience's Legacy Neon Park at the Illinois State Fair. Ace sign provided another preview last month of … Continue reading Company posts another preview of A. Lincoln Motel neon sign re-creation

Big Route 66 neon sign installed at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield

A 40-foot neon sign was installed a few days ago at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The sign is near the fairgrounds' Gate 2, which is at the corner of Peoria Road (aka Route 66) and Sangamon Avenue. It's the first of five signs at the gate. The Route 66 Experience also is located … Continue reading Big Route 66 neon sign installed at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield

Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000

The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield will receive a $500,000 grant to help add to the exhibit, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Old Joliet Prison in Joliet also will receive $250,000 from the same program for exterior illumination of the … Continue reading Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000

Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme

The Illinois State Fair in Springfield recently repainted its giant slide with an Illinois Route 66 shield. Springfield tourism director Scott Dahl recently posted a photo of the historic slide on social media: The 40-foot-tall and 130-foot-long slide was erected in 1968 and is near the fair's main gate. It was one of 40 originally designed … Continue reading Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme

First phase of Illinois Route 66 Experience coming next month to Illinois State Fair

One of the entrance gates of the Illinois State Fair will be the site of the first phase of the Illinois Route 66 Experience when the fair begins on Aug. 12. The attraction will be at Gate 2, which is at the corner of Sangamon Avenue and Ninth Street in Springfield. According to a news … Continue reading First phase of Illinois Route 66 Experience coming next month to Illinois State Fair