Tucumcari expands rockabilly festival

The Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., will feature a greatly expanded Rockabilly on the Route festival on June 5-8, according to a news release from the organizers.

According to an email from co-producer Simon Cantlon:

With a whopping 18 bands from across the country, Colombia and Norway, classic car show, Route 66 cruise, burn-out, burlesque show, pin-up contest, parade, bowling, classic movies, and pool party, this event is the largest of its kind in the state and on The Mother Road.

In 2013, in the event’s inaugural year, Rockabilly on the Route drew in an approximate 1,000 attendees from the local area, state, and from as far away as Oregon, Colorado, Texas and Michigan, to name a few, surpassing the all expectations. We are expecting to easily double that for 2014.

Last year, the festival featured nine bands, including rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson. This year, the festival will have 18 bands. The headliner this year is Justin Shandor, a Graceland-endorsed Elvis Presley impersonator. A highlight reel:

More from the press release about the festival:

“I feel that this event has a huge tourism and economical impact on Tucumcari, as well as the state of New Mexico,” says Jessica Elebario, former Convention Center director. “Rockabilly has a huge following around the world and this is our way to bring them to the state of New Mexico via historic Route 66.”

The event is endorsed by Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce and City Commission, and the New Mexico Department of Tourism.

Tickets for the weekend are as low as $25 if you buy now. The full schedule can be downloaded here.

(Rockabilly logo by tikilab via Flickr)

One thought on “Tucumcari expands rockabilly festival

  1. Glad to hear this event is back, and expected to grow.. I wish I lived just a little closer…I’d be there for sure.

    I did find this part interesting. “The event is endorsed by Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce and City Commission, and the New Mexico Department of Tourism.”

    Mesalands Community College? The local Community College is in the business of endorsing entertainment and tourism shows/events? The Chamber of Commerce and Dept. of Tourism, of course. But the Community College? It just seemed a little far afield.

    Either way, sounds like a great event.

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