Chicagoan wins Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring 51 in 10 minutes

Pat Bertoletti of Chicago won the title at the Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring a stomach-churning 51 in 10 minutes on Saturday in Springfield, Illinois. That far outpaced the runner-up, Darrien Thomas of Toronto, who ate 37 1/2 Cozy Dogs. Jerome Burns of Danbury, Connecticut, finished third with 25. Bertoletti was considered the … Continue reading Chicagoan wins Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring 51 in 10 minutes

Competitive eaters to face off at Cozy Dog Eating World Championship

A group of the world’s top competitive eaters will gather in Springfield, Illinois, to compete at the inaugural Cozy Dog Eating World Championship at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26. The event is part of the larger Mother Road Festival, a celebration marking 100 years of Route 66. Sanctioned by Major League Eating, the contest will … Continue reading Competitive eaters to face off at Cozy Dog Eating World Championship

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway to host inaugural Mother Road Conference on 100th anniversary of highway

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

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

Annual butter cow sculpture at the Illinois State Fair adds a Route 66 twist

For decades, the Illinois State Fair in Springfield has featured a butter-cow sculpture inside a refrigerated case. This year, the butter cow is back, but with a new Route 66 element. The State of Illinois reports the sculpture is titled "Take a Spin on Route 66": While the iconic Butter Cow remains the centerpiece of … Continue reading Annual butter cow sculpture at the Illinois State Fair adds a Route 66 twist

25-foot neon corndog erected at Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fairgrounds

A 25-foot-long neon corndog -- condiments included -- was erected Monday at the Route 66 Experience park near the southeast entrance of the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The big corndog serves as a salute to the landmark Cozy Dog Drive-In restaurant along Route 66 in Springfield. More from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: … Continue reading 25-foot neon corndog erected at Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fairgrounds

Illinois State Fair in Springfield going all out for Route 66

The Illinois State Fair in Springfield announced that not only will there be an ice cream flavor saluting the Mother Road, but Route 66 itself will also be a grand marshal of the fair's opening parade. Route 66 has taken on a more prominent role at the fair in recent years, including the establishment of … Continue reading Illinois State Fair in Springfield going all out for Route 66

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

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 exhibit opening on May 23 at Illinois State Museum in Springfield

The “Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” exhibit at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield is scheduled to open to the public on May 23. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, it will show "what it was like to live, work and travel along U.S. Route 66 during its peak years, drawing on personal … Continue reading Route 66 exhibit opening on May 23 at Illinois State Museum in Springfield