The National Route 66 Festival is coming up in a few weeks in Clinton, Okla., on June 21-24, and here are a few items related to that event:
— The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is sponsoring a hands-on historic preservation project at the former Ray’s Motel at 720 S. Eighth St. in Clinton from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 22 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 23-24. It’s at Eighth and Opal (map here) with a Route 66 sign in front. Michael Wallis, the noted author and Sheriff of Radiator Springs from “Cars,” will appear at least one of the sessions. Bring your work clothes, sunscreen and elbow grease. Call the association at 405-258-0008 or e-mail sundayjohn66(at)mac(dot)com for more information.
— In conjunction with the festival, the Old Route 66 Association of Texas is organizing a self-guided tour on the Mother Road across the Panhandle that can be taken anytime between June 1 and June 22. Prizes for participants will be awarded at the festival. You pick up a “passport” at one of these locations: MidPoint Cafe (Adrian); Oldham County Chamber of Commerce, Roark Hardware, Boot Hill Saloon and Grill, or Hickory Inn (all in Vega); Fort Amarillo RV Resort, Cattlemen’s Cafe, or Golden Light Cafe (all in Amarillo); Devil’s Rope Museum, (McLean); U-Drop Inn (Shamrock). You get it stamped at the unique Route 66 sites listed in the passport. The fee is $5. The more stamps you have, the greater your chances are to win. For more information, call 806-267-2828.
— The Road Crew will be performing songs from its recent album, “Songs from the Mother Road,” in the downtown Clinton stage from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23. Band members are former CBS Records artist Don King, songwriter Woody Bomar, Tony Darren and roadie Joe Loesch. Readio Theatre, which produced the album, also will have a booth at the festival if you like what you’re hearing and want to buy the CD.
