The Gemini Giant fiberglass statue, which once stood at the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant, returned to Wilmington, Illinois, when it was dedicated Saturday at its new location at South Island Park. The event featured live music, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, a mobile diner and commemorative memorabilia. The 28-foot-tall Gemini Giant returned to Wilmington with a … Continue reading Gemini Giant returns to Wilmington with a big welcome-home bash
Tag: Muffler Man
Gearhead Curios wins first Outstanding Attraction honor from Jefferson Highway Association
Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, and its owner Aaron Perry recently received the inaugural Outstanding Attraction award from the Jefferson Highway Association during its 11th annual conference in Alexandria, Louisiana. Gearhead Curios is best known for being on Route 66. The Jefferson Highway, which ran from New Orleans to Winnipeg, Manitoba, also went through Galena … Continue reading Gearhead Curios wins first Outstanding Attraction honor from Jefferson Highway Association
Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants get a glimpse of soon-to-be-relocated Gemini Giant
Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants had the rare privilege of seeing the Gemini Giant from the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant lying in repose, with its helmet off. The Joliet Patch had details about the fiberglass giant being shown inside the City of Wilmington's public works building during last weekend's 17th annual … Continue reading Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants get a glimpse of soon-to-be-relocated Gemini Giant
Severe storm lops off head of Muffler Man at Uranus Missouri complex
A severe storm a few days ago ripped off the head of the Muffler Man at the Uranus Missouri complex near St. Robert, Missouri. The head will be remade and reattached. The American Giants page on Facebook initially reported the damage that occurred Monday night. It reported Mark Cline will make a new head. Laura … Continue reading Severe storm lops off head of Muffler Man at Uranus Missouri complex
Gemini Giant sells at auction for $275,000, will stay in Wilmington
The landmark Gemini Giant fiberglass statue at the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, was sold at auction Wednesday for $275,000, and the mayor announced it will remain in town at a different location. Grafe Auctions didn't reveal the buyer, citing its privacy policy. However, the City of Wilmington hours later revealed in … Continue reading Gemini Giant sells at auction for $275,000, will stay in Wilmington
Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition
A man who hails from the Launching Pad Drive-In's home base of Wilmington, Illinois, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to save its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant from possible destruction by its owner. The closed Route 66 restaurant's owner, Holly Barker, said on Twitter a few days ago she was putting the Gemini Giant up for … Continue reading Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition
Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita to host another Mobil 1 world-record attempt
The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, on Nov. 5-12 will attempt another Guinness world record with the most stickers placed on a car. The Route 66 restaurant on Friday posted on Facebook that it needs some help with the attempt: We are now looking for volunteers for two very important roles. We need:1) People to … Continue reading Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita to host another Mobil 1 world-record attempt
Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman sets a Guinness world record with 266 different milkshakes
The Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona, on Saturday set a Guinness world record by serving 266 different flavors of milkshakes. The event was part of the Mobil 1 "Keep Route 66 Kickin'" tour that includes a specially made Muffler Man in tow. The landmark Route 66 restaurant and others posted photos when the record … Continue reading Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman sets a Guinness world record with 266 different milkshakes
A miniaturized version of The Spindle sculpture returns to Berwyn along Route 66
A smaller version of the famous Spindle sculpture that once stood in a shopping center in Berwyn, Illinois, recently was unveiled along that city's alignment of Route 66. Artist Pete Gamen created a 23-foot-tall version of the sculpture and uses fiberglass go-karts instead of cars, according to WBBM. It stands in Paisan’s Pizzeria and Bar … Continue reading A miniaturized version of The Spindle sculpture returns to Berwyn along Route 66
Mobil 1 campaign includes advocating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Apparently Mobil 1 isn't content with slapping Route 66 content onto a racecar. The oil company over the weekend rolled out its Keep Route 66 Kickin' campaign with several events planned along the Mother Road, a guide to Route 66's small businesses and advocacy for having the U.S. Congress designate Route 66 as a National … Continue reading Mobil 1 campaign includes advocating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail