The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission last week unveiled the official logo for the state’s Route 66 centennial celebrations during a kickoff event at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City.
This inaugural event marks the commencement of a series of celebrations leading up to the iconic Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026.
The ceremony culminated with unveiling of the Oklahoma Route 66 centennial logo designed by Lauren Cooper, a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma.
Cooper’s design, a collaboration with the OU-Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, incorporates Route 66’s iconic sign elements with contrasts and typography, capturing the Oklahoma spirit of the historic roadway.
This kickoff launches a series of statewide celebrations that will include car rallies, music festivals and guided tours aimed at boosting tourism, benefiting local businesses and invigorating local economies.
Pinnell also urged officials and Route 66 enthusiasts to mark their calendars for June 6, 2026, and Nov. 11, 2026, for “big celebrations in store” regarding the Mother Road. He did not elaborate.
The event also marked the announcement of the five living former Oklahoma governors — George Nigh, David Walters, Frank Keating, Brad Henry and Mary Fallin — as honorary chairs of the commission.
Pinnell, chairman of the commission and head of the state’s tourism department, emphasized Oklahoma’s pivotal role in these nationwide celebrations.
“Oklahoma is proudly leading the way for Route 66 centennial celebrations across the nation,” Pinnell said. “We are setting the stage for an unforgettable series of events along the Mother Road that will showcase its unique heritage and history. With over 400 drivable miles of Route 66 — the longest stretch of highway of any state — Oklahoma is the world’s destination for the ultimate Route 66 experience.”
More can be learned from the Route 66 Centennial Commission website.
(Oklahoma Route 66 centennial logo courtesy of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission)