The Town of Normal, Illinois, recently named Terri Ryburn, ambassador of the Route 66 landmark Sprague's Service Station, as its 2026 Citizen of the Year. Mayor Chris Koos recognized Ryburn's renovations of the station and other work documenting the history of Route 66, reported WGLT radio. More from the town's Facebook page: The honor serves … Continue reading Town of Normal names Terri Ryburn its Citizen of the Year
Tag: Normal
Terri Ryburn at Ryburn Place of Sprague’s Super Service to retire at the end of 2026
Terri Ryburn, the de facto savior of the historic Sprague's Super Service gas station in Normal, Illinois, recently announced she is retiring from the station's Ryburn Place shop and visitor's center at the end of the year. Ryburn stated on Facebook: "I have loved meeting so many interesting and fun people at Ryburn Place at … Continue reading Terri Ryburn at Ryburn Place of Sprague’s Super Service to retire at the end of 2026
Route 66 Centennial Drone Show to light downtown Joliet’s new City Square
Downtown Joliet, Illinois, will host a Route 66 Centennial Drone Show on Friday as part of the statewide commemoration of Route 66's centennial. Produced by Sky Elements Drone Shows in partnership with the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Illinois Office of Tourism, the display will feature 400 drones lighting up the night sky with Route 66 animations and Joliet imagery. … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Drone Show to light downtown Joliet’s new City Square
Bloomington-Normal tourism bureau announces year-long Route 66 centennial events
The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau recently announced a yearlong celebration of the centennial of Historic Route 66 in McLean County, Illinois. From Chenoa to McLean, special events along the Mother Road — including a two-day party weekend in June — will commemorate each community's connection to the most famous highway in America, hosted … Continue reading Bloomington-Normal tourism bureau announces year-long Route 66 centennial events
Feds pull $675,000 grant to extend Historic Route 66 Bike Trail in Bloomington area
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
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