Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin announced this week that Julie Akers has been hired as the organization's new executive director. Akers replaces longtime executive director Marilyn Emde, who retired in 2022 after almost 20 years at the helm. Martin stated in a news release: She brings more than a decade of experience working … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association hires new executive director
Category: Route 66 Associations
Preservation team repairs Wash Lady, Loretta’s Burrito Hut neon signs in Tucumcari
Larry Plath and Johnnie Meier of the New Mexico Route 66 Preservation Team recently repaired neon tubing for the so-called "Wash Lady" at Boulevard Cleaners and Loretta's Burrito Hut, both along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The duo also began repairing the tubing on the Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari, which isn't on Route 66 … Continue reading Preservation team repairs Wash Lady, Loretta’s Burrito Hut neon signs in Tucumcari
Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Longtime Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan of Chandler, Oklahoma, was inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The other inductee was the late Jeannette “Bunny” Neff of Sayre, Oklahoma, who advocated for Route 66 in the western part of the state for … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
New Mexico accepting applications for Route 66 Centennial Grant Program
The New Mexico Tourism Department is currently taking applications through mid-August for its Route 66 Centennial Grant Program for marketing, special events and infrastructure projects. Applications for Infrastructure projects and special events track will be accepted through Aug. 19. Applications for cooperative marketing track will be accepted through Aug. 13. New Mexico Route 66 centennial projects … Continue reading New Mexico accepting applications for Route 66 Centennial Grant Program
Developer of Route 66 Navigation app to be a partner in European Route 66 Festival
Touch Media, the company behind the Route 66 Navigation app and Route 66 Passport, recently announced its partnership with the European Route 66 Festival on Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 in Prague, Czech Republic. The festival, organized by the Czech Route 66 Association, follows up a successful previous edition held in Zlin, Czech Republic, in … Continue reading Developer of Route 66 Navigation app to be a partner in European Route 66 Festival
County decides to grind up Sidewalk Highway asphalt despite pleas from preservationists
Ottawa County, Oklahoma, has decided to grind up the original asphalt and make other significant alterations to the 9-foot-wide "Sidewalk Highway" of original Route 66 between Miami and Afton. The county recently took the action despite pleas from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and other historic preservationists to keep the century-old "Ribbon Road" intact as … Continue reading County decides to grind up Sidewalk Highway asphalt despite pleas from preservationists
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum to host Route 66 Hall of Fame induction, new exhibit
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma, later this month will host its biannual Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, plus a new photo exhibit by a current Route 66 advocate. The free ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. on July 27, though the museum itself at 2229 W. Gary Blvd. (aka … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Museum to host Route 66 Hall of Fame induction, new exhibit
Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title
Several towns along the Mother Road for years have claimed to be the "Capital of Route 66." But the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Route 66 Commission ensured it isn't just an idle boast. After a lengthy process, Tulsa officially secured a federal copyright for "Capital of Route 66." According to KJRH-TV and other … Continue reading Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title
Nearly 10,000 people attend AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa
Nearly 10,000 people attended the two-day AAA Route 66 Road Fest at Expo Square in Tulsa last month. That's according to Richard Stephens Jr. and Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin, who filed a report on the association's website. All told, it featured 218 vehicles in the car show, seven decades of Route 66 … Continue reading Nearly 10,000 people attend AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa
Oklahoma unveils official logo for state’s Route 66 centennial celebrations
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 … Continue reading Oklahoma unveils official logo for state’s Route 66 centennial celebrations