The U.S. Department of Transportation yanked an awarded $675,000 grant to help plan and design the final three segments of the 47-mile Historic Route 66 Bike/Pedestrian Trail in the Bloomington-Normal area of Illinois. The grant was awarded more than a year ago, but the USDOT apparently reconsidered. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports: According to a letter … Continue reading Feds pull $675,000 grant to extend Historic Route 66 Bike Trail in Bloomington area
Tag: Normal
Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal receives $150,000 grant
The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau won a $150,000 state tourism grant for further restorations to Sprague’s Super Service in Normal, Illinois, before Route 66's centennial next year. According to WGLT radio, the money comes from the Route 66 Grant Program, which aims to preserve and educate travelers along the state's Route 66 corridor. The funds … Continue reading Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal receives $150,000 grant
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
City of Normal to return Sprague’s Super Service Station to its original footprint
The town council of Normal, Illinois, recently voted to spend $300,000 on work on three historic properties in the city, including the Sprague's Super Service Station along Route 66, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The station's previous owner, Terri Ryburn, told Route 66 News the work will include removing the 1960s one-bay garage and restoring the … Continue reading City of Normal to return Sprague’s Super Service Station to its original footprint
Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces full schedule
The eighth annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference will be Oct. 19-22 in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, with the theme “The Great American Road Trip” and four days of speakers, tours, museums, networking, plus musical and movie entertainment. In a nod to this year's hosts, Thursday's events will be at the McLean County Museum of History … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces full schedule
Keynote speakers announced for 2023 Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference
The organizers for the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference, scheduled for Oct. 19-22 in Bloomington-Normal, announced the keynote speakers for the event a few days ago. The theme for the eighth conference will be "The Great American Road Trip," and the speeches will be on Oct. 20-21. The conference will be headquartered at the … Continue reading Keynote speakers announced for 2023 Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference
Normal Town Council approves a large Route 66 monument sign
The Normal Town Council of Normal, Illinois, several days ago approved the installation of a large Route 66 monument sign. The monument will be on Pine Street (aka Route 66), adjacent to the south edge of One Normal Plaza, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. "It will be a fun Route 66 photo (opportunity) for visitors … Continue reading Normal Town Council approves a large Route 66 monument sign
Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants
The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants
Red Carpet Corridor festival adds second day, Bloomington-Normal to its itinerary
This year's edition of the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival is going to be a two-day affair, with Bloomington-Normal added to its list of towns to visit. The May 6-7 event, which starts in Joliet, lengthens to 100 miles and 14 communities, according to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic … Continue reading Red Carpet Corridor festival adds second day, Bloomington-Normal to its itinerary
Check out this Normal man’s display of 900 Christmas decorations at his home
If you want to see what likely is the king of outdoor Christmas decorating, Mike Holtz's home in Normal, Illinois, probably rules them all. Holtz's residence at 1210 W. Hovey Ave., a half-mile west of Route 66, features about 900 blow-mold Santas, gingerbread men, snowmen, reindeer and even a few aliens in his yard, on … Continue reading Check out this Normal man’s display of 900 Christmas decorations at his home