Tulsa shattered a world record on Saturday after a total of 3,596 classic vehicles participated in the Route 66 Capital Cruise. That surpassed the previous record by more than 1,100 vehicles. The event also drew an estimated 100,000 spectators along Route 66 in the city, according to various media reports. Cars departed from Expo Square … Continue reading Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise breaks world record with over 3,500 classic vehicles participating
Swadley’s Bar-B-Q owner convicted of criminal fraud, faces up to 10 years in prison
Brent Swadley, owner of the Oklahoima-based Swadley's Bar-B-Q restaurant chain, was found guilty Thursday by a jury in an Oklahoma City courtroom of committing criminal fraud involving millions of dollars of state taxpayer money. Swadley was accused of creating fake invoices and overbilling the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department at state parks. The overbilling, which … Continue reading Swadley’s Bar-B-Q owner convicted of criminal fraud, faces up to 10 years in prison
Construction of Centennial Plaza in Pontiac moves into a swifter phase
The mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, reported a few days ago that construction of the Route 66-themed Centennial Plaza near the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum is moving into a more rapid stage. Mayor Kelly Eckhoff in a Facebook post stated: The end of the eight week curing time for the steel structure … Continue reading Construction of Centennial Plaza in Pontiac moves into a swifter phase
New “Welcome to Tulsa” neon signs are being installed just before the Route 66 Capital Cruise
Earlier this week, the City of Tulsa erected a large "Welcome to Tulsa" neon sign just before the Tulsa Route 66 Capital Cruise brings in thousands of tourists and classic-car enthusiasts. The sign is at the Route 66 Historical Village in southwest Tulsa. Residents gathered Tuesday night for the lighting ceremony there. Here are images … Continue reading New “Welcome to Tulsa” neon signs are being installed just before the Route 66 Capital Cruise
Oklahoma couple completes full Route 66 journey in a 1926 Hupmobile
Back in January, you may remember a story about Ed and Jackie Fogle of Oklahoma, who were planning to celebrate Route 66's centennial by traveling the entire 2,400-mile length of the highway in a 1926 Hupmobile. Well, they made it. According to WBBM-TV in Chicago, they managed to drive the century-old car from the Windy … Continue reading Oklahoma couple completes full Route 66 journey in a 1926 Hupmobile
Fat Tested Travel founder will document Route 66 during its centennial
Jason Vaughn began filming travel videos when he weighed 380 pounds because he was tired of vacation content made for people who already knew they belonged. Through his YouTube channel Fat Tested Travel, Vaughn helps plus-size travelers, fat travelers and people of size answer the questions most travel shows skip: Will the ride restraint close? … Continue reading Fat Tested Travel founder will document Route 66 during its centennial
Ceremonial relighting held for West Winds Motel’s neon sign in Erick
Folks in Erick, Oklahoma, held a relighting ceremony on Friday for the previously long-dark neon sign at the closed West Winds Motel. The sign had been restored and has been operating nightly since April. The ceremony last week served as more of a celebration. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, was there … Continue reading Ceremonial relighting held for West Winds Motel’s neon sign in Erick
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
Casey Van Beek and the Tulsa Groove announce “The Route 66 Sessions” album
Casey Van Beek and the Tulsa Groove will release their new album, "The Route 66 Sessions," on May 30. Recorded and mixed at the legendary Church Studio in Tulsa, the project was created in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Historic Route 66. Featuring 10 original songs inspired by the Mother Road, the album pays … Continue reading Casey Van Beek and the Tulsa Groove announce “The Route 66 Sessions” album
Main Street of America Centennial Caravan coming to Route 66 next month
The Route 66 Main Street of America Centennial Caravan, organized by the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and other partners, recently announced its daily schedule for a summer road trip celebrating 100 years of the world’s most iconic highway. The caravan, made up of representatives from all eight states the highway passes through, will depart Saturday, June 6, from Santa Monica and … Continue reading Main Street of America Centennial Caravan coming to Route 66 next month