Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66

Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield

Re-creations or restorations of neon signs for long-defunct Route 66 businesses glowed anew on Wednesday night during a lighting ceremony at the Legends Neon Park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience contains the signs of the A. Lincoln Motel, the Coliseum Ballroom, Chain … Continue reading Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield

Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield

A lighting ceremony on July 26 for the Route 66 Experience neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield will include a pre-party at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill on the city's south side. The Route 66 Experience at the fairgrounds will feature re-creations or restorations of the neon signs for the Bel-Air … Continue reading Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield

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

Ace Sign Co. gives a preview of A. Lincoln Motel sign replica coming to state fairgrounds

The Ace Sign Co. of Springfield, Illinois, provided a sneak peek a few days ago of a facsimile of the A. Lincoln Motel neon sign that stood along Route 66 in the city. The sign eventually will be incorporated with the Legends Neon Park as part of the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State … Continue reading Ace Sign Co. gives a preview of A. Lincoln Motel sign replica coming to state fairgrounds

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

Donations may be sought to fix Illinois State Fairgrounds

A proposal seeks donations instead of taxpayer money to make badly needed repairs to the historic Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, reported the State Journal-Register. The newspaper said: Legislation filed by state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, would allow the agriculture department to form a state fairground foundation that would solicit private funds from individuals … Continue reading Donations may be sought to fix Illinois State Fairgrounds