The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, will mark its 50th anniversary on the afternoon of Sept. 24.
According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the city-owned Route 66 landmark will host fun, live music, burgers, vendors and games from 3 to 7 p.m. that day.
Michael Wallis, author of the seminal bestselling book “Route 66: The Mother Road,” will make an appearance at 3 p.m. He also was the voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the Route 66-inspired Disney-Pixar animated movie “Cars.”
The association is lending a hand with the event, but it needs some help:
Volunteers are needed for the following: selling of concession items, handing out bottled water, assisting kids with craft projects, manning and resetting yard games like corn hole and ladder toss, and event teardown/cleanup.
They need six to eight folks starting at about 2:30 PM that day. All volunteers will receive a meal (hamburger/hot dog with chips and drink) for their help! The event is outdoors so be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and whatever else you might need to stay comfortable.
To sign up to volunteer, click here or contact Chandler Harris with the Johnnie Marshall Memorial Scholarship Foundation by email johnniemarshallmemorialfund@gmail.com or call (918) 850-3003.
The Blue Whale turning 50 means it’s also eligible for designation to the National Register of Historic Places. It wouldn’t surprise me if some city officials won’t seek that designation in short order.
The city purchased the Blue Whale site and its land in 2020 from its longtime owners, the Davis family. Rogers County property records stated it was sold for $1.5 million.
Hugh Davis hand-made the Blue Whale out of concrete and shaped rebar about 1970 as an anniversary gift to his wife. The Blue Whale and its spring-fed pond became a popular swimming hole for locals and travelers along Route 66 alike.
It closed about 1988 and fell into disrepair until it was restored in the early 2000s. Hugh Davis’ son, Blaine, was the caretaker at the property for years.
(Image of the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, by Ayleen Dority via Flickr)