This article by Steve Lackmeyer of The Daily Oklahoman has a lot to recommend it, including interviews with a bunch of Route 66’s colorful characters (including a man with 53 Route 66-related tattoos) during the National Route 66 Festival in Clinton, Okla.
But this excerpt justifies the faith I’ve had in Clinton (population 8,300) in hosting such a festival, despite it being the smallest host city ever.
Erin Adams, president of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, reported the festival has been a bonanza to local businesses, packing restaurants and taking every motel room in town and in nearby Weatherford and Elk City.
Adams said the town has gained an appreciation for its place along the old highway, especially since the opening of the state’s Route 66 Museum in 1995.
“This is the biggest thing for us the last 25 years,” Adams said. “This festival has brought a lot of awareness to our local people on how important Route 66 is to our town. It seems the rest of the world is aware, and sometimes our locals are little more oblivious. But this has brought the two together.”
I completely agree with Adams’ assessment. I’ll have more later.