The official Route 66 Centennial Kickoff event on April 30-May 3 in Springfield, Missouri, will include a live telecast, a bunch of prominent country and rock acts and a nationally known actor as the emcee. The kickoff concert begins at 5 p.m. that day at Great Southern Bank Arena. The concert will be hosted by … Continue reading Acts, events announced for Route 66 Centennial Kickoff event
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
Couple plans to celebrate Route 66’s centennial by traveling the highway in a 1926 car
Ed and Jackie Fogle of Oklahoma said they will mark Route 66's centennial later this year by traveling in another century-old car. The Fogles will travel on Route 66 in a 1926 Hupmobile. The Claremore Daily Progress detailed on how this came about: Ed Fogle said the idea came to him four years ago when … Continue reading Couple plans to celebrate Route 66’s centennial by traveling the highway in a 1926 car
Restored Western Trail Motel sign will be displayed at National Cowboy Museum show
The long-dark Western Trail Motel neon sign was recently restored and will be put on display at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Billboard Museum reports the sign is on loan from the Oklahoma Historical Society and eventually will become part of a neon park at a yet-to-be-announced location. The … Continue reading Restored Western Trail Motel sign will be displayed at National Cowboy Museum show
19 Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grants announced
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced the awarding of 19 grants totaling more than $40,000 to Route 66 businesses and attractions. Each recipient receives $2,125 from the Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grant Program. These are the recipients: VFW Post 6306 on Route 66 in Topock, Arizona, will commission the painting of … Continue reading 19 Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grants announced
Andrea Pruett, longtime owner of Bagdad Cafe, dies at 85
Andrea Pruett, the longtime owner of the landmark Bagdad Cafe along Route 66 in Newberry Springs, California, died on Jan. 13. She was 85. Mead Mortuary in nearby Barstow, California, is handling arrangements, which are incomplete at this time. Many veteran Route 66 travelers have written tributes to her on social media. Her grandson, Greg … Continue reading Andrea Pruett, longtime owner of Bagdad Cafe, dies at 85
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
Report: 15 rooms at Munger Moss Motel soon will be available for overnight stays
The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society reported that 15 rooms of the landmark Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, will soon be available for overnight rentals. Lebanon City Administrator Troy Schulte made the announcement at the society’s annual membership meeting, according to a Facebook post. The Dels Corp., which bought the motel following the deaths … Continue reading Report: 15 rooms at Munger Moss Motel soon will be available for overnight stays
Ideastream Public Media features Route 66 photographer David Schwartz
Ideastream Public Media recently published and uploaded a story about Ohio photographer David Schwartz, whose images will be featured in forthcoming U.S. postage stamps about Route 66's centennial. Here's the seven-minute video documentary: https://youtu.be/gAJf50T5NM8?si=tal3xL3A8UiRq-G4 Schwartz said he's made over 40 trips on Route 66 over the past two decades to document the highway. In the … Continue reading Ideastream Public Media features Route 66 photographer David Schwartz
Oklahoma Educational Television Authority airs “Route 66: The First 100 Years”
Recently, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority debuted a 27-minute documentary, "Route 66: The First 100 Years," on many PBS stations in the Sooner State. The entire documentary can be viewed online here. Below is a trailer: https://youtu.be/flXNvvYjiN8?si=uRavDz98KO68MawA In it, you'll find many Oklahoma Route 66 authorities such as Jerry McClanahan, Jim Ross, Rhys Martin, Michael … Continue reading Oklahoma Educational Television Authority airs “Route 66: The First 100 Years”
New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series begins on Jan. 24
The New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series is launching on Jan. 24 in the Albuquerque metro area and will continue throughout the year. The first day of the series will have a dozen speakers lined up, with additional ones each successive month. All events are free. The lectures repeat throughout the locations. In addition … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series begins on Jan. 24