On Nov. 11, exactly 100 years after the commissioning of Route 66, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway will host its inaugural Mother Road Conference at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield. The conference will bring together Route 66 business owners, tourism professionals, preservationists, enthusiasts, elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the highway’s centennial … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway to host inaugural Mother Road Conference on 100th anniversary of highway
Tag: Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway launches inaugural awards
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is launching the inaugural Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Awards, celebrating the businesses, attractions, communities and individuals who contribute to the continued vitality and legacy of Route 66 in Illinois. With Route 66 celebrating its 100th anniversary, the new awards provide an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the people and … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway launches inaugural awards
Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas to headline Route 66 Centennial Celebration at Route 66 Motorheads
Legendary rock band Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas will go knee deep in the hoopla and headline the Route 66 Centennial Celebration on Nov. 11 at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex in Springfield, Illinois. As part of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Statewide Conference and Route 66 Centennial Celebration, the day will culminate in an evening concert inside the Motordome, bringing arena-level rock to the heart … Continue reading Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas to headline Route 66 Centennial Celebration at Route 66 Motorheads
Route 66 Motorheads to host Centennial Cultural Program honoring journey of ultramarathoner
As part of celebrating Route 66's centennial, Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, will host a centennial cultural gathering on June 6 centered around the journey of endurance runner Tomasz Sobania. The day begins with the independently organized Route 66 Centennial 5K Footrace at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and continues at Motorheads with an invitation-only … Continue reading Route 66 Motorheads to host Centennial Cultural Program honoring journey of ultramarathoner
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway earlier this week announced a Route 66 centennial event in 2026 -- the first of many that will be scheduled that year. The byway's Statewide Conference and Centennial Celebration will take place on Nov. 11, 2026, at Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, it announced in a news release. "This momentous event … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
Retro diner going into former Sonrise Donuts building in Springfield
After being a Mexican restaurant for years, the former Sonrise Donuts building along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, will be transformed into a retro diner called The Fountain on 66. The Springfield State Journal-Register (subscription required) reports that Tom Hart signed a lease effective Jan. 1 to take over the building, Hart will have to … Continue reading Retro diner going into former Sonrise Donuts building in Springfield
30-foot-tall “Big Ron” fiberglass statue added to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill in Springfield
A 30-foot-tall "Big Ron" fiberglass figure was added Thursday under the big Route 66 shield near the entrance to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, Illinois. The complex at 600 Toronto Road, in an old Stuckey's on an alignment of Route 66, already contains tons of Route 66 memorabilia … Continue reading 30-foot-tall “Big Ron” fiberglass statue added to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill in Springfield
Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield
A Mexican restaurant called Lil Fiesta on Route 66 recently opened in the space that held Sonrise Donuts and its iconic sign for many years in Springfield, Illinois. Lil Fiesta on Route 66 opened Friday at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66) in a space that also held another Mexican restaurant, for a few … Continue reading Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield
Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield
Re-creations or restorations of neon signs for long-defunct Route 66 businesses glowed anew on Wednesday night during a lighting ceremony at the Legends Neon Park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience contains the signs of the A. Lincoln Motel, the Coliseum Ballroom, Chain … Continue reading Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield
Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield
A lighting ceremony on July 26 for the Route 66 Experience neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield will include a pre-party at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill on the city's south side. The Route 66 Experience at the fairgrounds will feature re-creations or restorations of the neon signs for the Bel-Air … Continue reading Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield