As the Mother Road marks its 99th anniversary, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission this week unveiled early plans and programming for the Route 66 centennial in 2026. The yearlong celebration will spotlight Oklahoma’s role in preserving and promoting one of America’s most storied highways. The announcement kicks off … Continue reading Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration
Tag: Matt Pinnell
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton marks its 30th anniversary
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, located in Clinton, marked its 30th anniversary last Tuesday. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also leads the state's tourism department, paid tribute to the museum: The museum opened on Sept. 23, 1995, and is the oldest dedicated to the Mother Road. It draws 35,000 visitors annually, according to Oklahoma Tourism. … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton marks its 30th anniversary
Ground broken on project to move Chrysler Plymouth neon sign in Bristow to Route 66
Local officials, including the Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, presided Friday over a groundbreaking ceremony to move the historic but long-abandoned Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow, Oklahoma, to Route 66 in town and restore the neon. KJRH-TV in nearby Tulsa reported that a state Route 66 revitalization grant is covering $700,000 of the $1 million … Continue reading Ground broken on project to move Chrysler Plymouth neon sign in Bristow to Route 66
State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66
Last week, the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission announced the launch of a Route 66 commemorative map for the Sooner State. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also leads the state's tourism agency and is a big proponent of Route 66, attended a news conference at the state Capitol to promote the 2025-2026 map. The maps … Continue reading State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66
New Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument unveiled in Oklahoma City
A new Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument was installed last week in Oklahoma City along Northwest 23rd Street, a prominent alignment of Route 66 in the city. Mayor David Holt stated in several posts on social media that the sign is one of several that will be installed in the city. The new sign is … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument unveiled in Oklahoma City
Compromise leaves 1 mile of endangered Ribbon Road in Oklahoma untouched
A compromise between state and local officials will preserve one mile of the fabled Ribbon Road of original Route 66 in northeast Oklahoma after the county voted recently to grind up the asphalt on the three-mile stretch. KSNF-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri, reported that Miami Mayor Bless Parker, state Rep. Steve Bashore, Lt. Gov. and … Continue reading Compromise leaves 1 mile of endangered Ribbon Road in Oklahoma untouched
European Route 66 Festival resumes later this year after a six-year hiatus
The European Route 66 Festival will resume late this summer in Prague, Czech Republic, after a six-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival will be from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 on exhibition grounds in the Czech capital. Zdenek Jurasek of the Czech Route 66 Association recently announced the resumption of the festival. … Continue reading European Route 66 Festival resumes later this year after a six-year hiatus
Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program
The initial application period for the Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program opened Friday, making $6.6 million available to municipalities, nonprofits and government entities on Route 66. Oversight for the grants will be by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, comprised of Oklahoma residents who live and work on the Mother Road. The application period will close at 5 … Continue reading Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program
First US Bike 66 sign dedicated on Tulsa’s Route 66
The first of 40 US Bike 66 signs coming to Tulsa was dedicated a few days ago by local and state officials near the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 shop. Among those attending the ceremony were Mayor G.T. Bynum, the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. … Continue reading First US Bike 66 sign dedicated on Tulsa’s Route 66
Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign
Oklahoma Tourism earlier in the week announced the launch of its "Imagine That" campaign where Route 66 features prominently in the mix. According to a news release, it is the first television campaign showcasing the new state branding, and it marks the first time since 2015 the agency has released a campaign of this scale … Continue reading Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign