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

Updated list of speakers announced for Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference

An updated list of speakers recently was announced by organizers of the seventh annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference set for Oct. 20-23 at the Pontiac Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center in Pontiac, Illinois. This year's theme for the conference is "America's Main Street Welcomes the World." (Disclosure: The Route 66 Miles of … Continue reading Updated list of speakers announced for Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference

Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced $4 million in grants for various projects along Route 66, including a visitors center in a former Edwardsville gas station, reopening the old Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and a new Muffler Man on a restaurant in Berwyn. According to Riverbender.com and … Continue reading Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces Stuckey’s CEO as keynote speaker

Organizers for the annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announced this week that Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey's Corp., will be the keynote speaker during the Oct. 20-23 event in Pontiac, Illinois. The conference also will be dedicated to the memory of David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, who died in January. A … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces Stuckey’s CEO as keynote speaker

Miles of Possibility Conference will be virtual, with speakers from worldwide

The bad news is next month's annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference won't be in person because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is the virtual format will allow speakers from virtually all over the world. The Oct. 21-24 conference is called "A Worldwide Celebration of Route 66," with speakers from all … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Conference will be virtual, with speakers from worldwide

‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts

Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Jim Conkle is scheduling a so-called "archaeological dig" at a barn in Rochester, Illinois, to find artifacts that belonged to late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The barn belongs to Buz Waldmire, Bob's brother. Bob also spent time there off and on during his lifetime, and he died there in 2009 … Continue reading ‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts

New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire

New art space at the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, will feature the works of late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire when it opens March 14. According to a news release from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the art space will feature Route 66 artwork on a rotating basis. The news release … Continue reading New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire

Route 66 tourist-greeting mayor of Pontiac to resign at end of month

Bob Russell, the mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, known for greeting arriving busloads of Route 66 tourists in his city's downtown, will voluntarily step down from his position on July 31. Russell, nicknamed by some as the "Mayor of Route 66," announced his impending departure during a city council meeting this week. According to the Bloomington … Continue reading Route 66 tourist-greeting mayor of Pontiac to resign at end of month

Claremore adds first of many murals over six-year period

The city of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Claremore MainStreet recently finished the first of several murals that will be painted in downtown alleys. The first mural, painted by John Hammer, portrays Route 66, Oklahoma humorist Will Rogers and astronaut Stuart Roosa. Both grew up in Claremore. The city stated this about the mural program several weeks … Continue reading Claremore adds first of many murals over six-year period

Illinois governor hits several Route 66 sites during motorcycle tour

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner led a parade Sunday of hundreds of motorcycles to four Route 66 sites to celebrate the state's bicentennial. According to the Herald-News in Joliet, Rauner and 300 to 500 other riders made stops at the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, … Continue reading Illinois governor hits several Route 66 sites during motorcycle tour