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

Cycle 66 event in Edmond draws more than 800 riders

The second annual Cycle 66 event on Sunday in Edmond, Oklahoma, saw a sizable jump in participation. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, told News on 6 that the number of cyclists rose from 500 during Cycle 66's inaugural event to more than 800 this year. Cycle 66 offered three planned … Continue reading Cycle 66 event in Edmond draws more than 800 riders

Groundbreaking ceremony held for two-year project to replace Pony Bridge near Bridgeport

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation on Wednesday held a groundbreaking ceremony on a two-year, $35 million project to widen the historic Pony Bridge near Bridgeport but preserve the span's distinctive pony trusses. ODOT sent out this tweet from the scene: Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell & Oklahoma History Center Director Trait Thompson joined Secretary of Transportation … Continue reading Groundbreaking ceremony held for two-year project to replace Pony Bridge near Bridgeport

Swadley’s Bar-B-Q countersuit allegedly implicates Oklahoma governor, Pinnell

Swadley's Bar-B-Q last week filed a countersuit, alleging the governor and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, knew of the arrangement where the restaurant chain spent millions of dollars in inflated reimbursement invoices to upgrade services at several state parks. The Oklahoman newspaper reported some details about the countersuit: Among the claims … Continue reading Swadley’s Bar-B-Q countersuit allegedly implicates Oklahoma governor, Pinnell

Snippets of Oklahoma Route 66 shown on Times Square’s big video screens

Mary Beth Babcock, the owner of the Buck Atoms Cosmic Curios on Route 66 store in Tulsa, recently flagged a brief video shot by a friend in New York City. The footage shows several landmarks from Route 66 and other spots in the Sooner State that were displayed on the big video screens in Times … Continue reading Snippets of Oklahoma Route 66 shown on Times Square’s big video screens

Oklahoma Tourism leader resigns, state files suit against Swadley’s Bar-B-Q over park contract

The state of Oklahoma last week filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Swadley's Bar-B-Q, and Oklahoma Tourism chief Jerry Winchester resigned after he and the small restaurant chain were implicated over allegations of fraud and overspending with concessions at six state parks. The contract is being investigated by state police and is undergoing an audit by … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism leader resigns, state files suit against Swadley’s Bar-B-Q over park contract

Oklahoma City adds 200 Route 66 directional signs to varying alignments

The City of Oklahoma City recently added 200 Route 66 directional signs so travelers can more easily trace the varying alignments of the Mother Road in the metro area. According to a news release from the city, the alignments go through five commercial districts that include the Britton District, Western Avenue, NW 39th Street, the Asian District and Uptown 23. A map … Continue reading Oklahoma City adds 200 Route 66 directional signs to varying alignments