The Route 66 Association of Illinois seeks nominees for the 2025 induction into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. The association began recognizing people and places along Route 66 almost 35 years ago The Hall of Fame honors “those people and places along Route 66 whose blend of hardy individualism and grassroots community spirit … Continue reading Nominees sought for Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2025
Tag: Pontiac IL
Red Carpet Corridor festival adds second day, Bloomington-Normal to its itinerary
This year's edition of the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival is going to be a two-day affair, with Bloomington-Normal added to its list of towns to visit. The May 6-7 event, which starts in Joliet, lengthens to 100 miles and 14 communities, according to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic … Continue reading Red Carpet Corridor festival adds second day, Bloomington-Normal to its itinerary
Updated list of speakers announced for Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference
An updated list of speakers recently was announced by organizers of the seventh annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference set for Oct. 20-23 at the Pontiac Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center in Pontiac, Illinois. This year's theme for the conference is "America's Main Street Welcomes the World." (Disclosure: The Route 66 Miles of … Continue reading Updated list of speakers announced for Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference
Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced $4 million in grants for various projects along Route 66, including a visitors center in a former Edwardsville gas station, reopening the old Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and a new Muffler Man on a restaurant in Berwyn. According to Riverbender.com and … Continue reading Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66
Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces Stuckey’s CEO as keynote speaker
Organizers for the annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announced this week that Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey's Corp., will be the keynote speaker during the Oct. 20-23 event in Pontiac, Illinois. The conference also will be dedicated to the memory of David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, who died in January. A … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces Stuckey’s CEO as keynote speaker
Miles of Possibility Conference will be virtual, with speakers from worldwide
The bad news is next month's annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference won't be in person because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is the virtual format will allow speakers from virtually all over the world. The Oct. 21-24 conference is called "A Worldwide Celebration of Route 66," with speakers from all … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Conference will be virtual, with speakers from worldwide
‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Jim Conkle is scheduling a so-called "archaeological dig" at a barn in Rochester, Illinois, to find artifacts that belonged to late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The barn belongs to Buz Waldmire, Bob's brother. Bob also spent time there off and on during his lifetime, and he died there in 2009 … Continue reading ‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
New art space at the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, will feature the works of late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire when it opens March 14. According to a news release from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the art space will feature Route 66 artwork on a rotating basis. The news release … Continue reading New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
Route 66 tourist-greeting mayor of Pontiac to resign at end of month
Bob Russell, the mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, known for greeting arriving busloads of Route 66 tourists in his city's downtown, will voluntarily step down from his position on July 31. Russell, nicknamed by some as the "Mayor of Route 66," announced his impending departure during a city council meeting this week. According to the Bloomington … Continue reading Route 66 tourist-greeting mayor of Pontiac to resign at end of month
Claremore adds first of many murals over six-year period
The city of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Claremore MainStreet recently finished the first of several murals that will be painted in downtown alleys. The first mural, painted by John Hammer, portrays Route 66, Oklahoma humorist Will Rogers and astronaut Stuart Roosa. Both grew up in Claremore. The city stated this about the mural program several weeks … Continue reading Claremore adds first of many murals over six-year period