A lighting ceremony on July 26 for the Route 66 Experience neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield will include a pre-party at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill on the city’s south side.
The Route 66 Experience at the fairgrounds will feature re-creations or restorations of the neon signs for the Bel-Air Drive-In, A. Lincoln Motel, Chain of Rocks Motel and Coliseum Ballroom, plus a big Route 66 shield in the center of it all.
The lighting is set for 8:15 p.m. that night. The Legends neon park is just inside Gate 2 of the fairgrounds at 801 E. Sangamon Ave. The gate will open about 7:30 p.m.
The pre-party at Route 66 Motorheads at 600 Toronto Road is set from 5 to 7 p.m.
The event is a partnership with the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Ace Sign Co., Visit Springfield and Enjoy Illinois.
(Image of the Legends neon signs of the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield via Visit Springfield)