I have two questions for my American readers.
- Are you going to the first-ever European Route 66 Festival near Stuttgart, Germany, on July 15-17?
- If so, are you going under the auspices of a certain organization?
If any of those are a “yes,” please elaborate in the comments section.
Those questions came to mind when I learned author Jim Hinckley of Kingman, Arizona, not only is going as a representative for Kingman and its Tourism Development Commission, but also for Route 66: The Road Ahead Initiative.
Hinckley’s ambassadorship got me to wondering whether other Americans are going to the festival to network with the hundreds, if not thousands, of European Route 66 fans. Perhaps a few from chambers of commerce or a business or two along Route 66 will go, but I don’t know. That’s why I’ve posted the questions.
The European Route 66 Festival is being organized by the German Route 66 Association. Because of that and its location, I expect it will be dominated by people from Western Europe.
It seems to be an event that’s a long time coming. Some Route 66 businesses report 40, even 50 percent of their business come from European tourists who want to experience that all-American highway. With a roadie-themed event much closer to Europeans’ home, the potential is there for the European Route 66 Festival to be a success.
Then again, having been a volunteer at a successful small-town event in Illinois, I’m told first-year festivals seldom are successful unless organizers are lucky or have hired an experienced organizer such as Fred Puglia.
Because of those things, tourism leaders might take a wait-and-see attitude before committing to the thousands of dollars needed to attend the second European Route 66 Festival.
Regardless, it will be interesting to hear Hinckley’s and others’ reports from the event. Time will tell whether business leaders made a prudent decision in evaluating the festival before committing to future events, or whether they may missed an opportunity.
(Image of the European Route 66 Festival logo)
I am anticipating going on behalf of Highway Journeys, hosts of the 2016 Los Angeles International Route 66 Festival in November at the highway’s original western terminus.
Ron,
I know Pat Smith is going and I assume will represent the Route 66 Museum in Clinton.
You will probably hear from her but just in case, thought I’d share.
Phyllis Grey
I am not American but I wil be going on behalf of the Dutch R66 Association. If anybody needs help with travel arrangements or has question about travel in Europe please do let me know and I will help where I can!
Like Dries, we are not American, but will attend as well to show some of our photographs. We know ist not easy to hold such a festival for the first time. Big THANK YOU to Anja and Wolfgang for the organization! We hope to see as many of you here as possible knowing about the costs for such a trip. But maybe the foundation to many moreRoute 66 festivals in Europe can be laid. And how great that Nick Gerlich will visit us here in Germany and join us for the event.
Looking forward to the July 15th to 17th weekend.
Ellen & Udo