Re-creations or restorations of neon signs for long-defunct Route 66 businesses glowed anew on Wednesday night during a lighting ceremony at the Legends Neon Park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience contains the signs of the A. Lincoln Motel, the Coliseum Ballroom, Chain … Continue reading Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield
Tag: Springfield IL
Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield
A lighting ceremony on July 26 for the Route 66 Experience neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield will include a pre-party at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill on the city's south side. The Route 66 Experience at the fairgrounds will feature re-creations or restorations of the neon signs for the Bel-Air … Continue reading Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield
Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum
The City of Springfield, Illinois, recently accepted a $623,000 state grant to reopen Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum along Route 66. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau director Scott Dahl wants to make the closed station on Peoria Road (aka Route 66) an "Instagram-able stop," especially for international travelers. Dahl elaborated on … Continue reading Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum
Route 66-themed giant slide at Illinois State Fair will be open each Saturday through mid-August
The Illinois State Fair's giant slide -- which recently got a Route 66-themed paint job -- will open each Saturday until the start of the fair on Aug. 10-20. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, it is the first time the slide has been open during non-fair hours. The slide will be open from 2 … Continue reading Route 66-themed giant slide at Illinois State Fair will be open each Saturday through mid-August
Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants
The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants
Several Illinois Route 66 sites get state funds from tourism, transportation programs
Several spots on Route 66 in Illinois were among the 89 that will receive a total of $22.5 million from the state's Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program. Also, several Route 66 sites also received funds from the state's Transportation Enhancement Program. Here are the Route 66-related tourism recipients and the total grant: $25,187 to … Continue reading Several Illinois Route 66 sites get state funds from tourism, transportation programs
Cozy Dog Drive-In earns Gold Award from county for outstanding food-safety practices
The Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, was one of several dining establishments that received a Gold Award for 2022 from the Sangamon County Department of Health. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, the Route 66 landmark and other restaurants met these criteria from the health department: Being certified food manager compliant; No more than … Continue reading Cozy Dog Drive-In earns Gold Award from county for outstanding food-safety practices
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week announced the latest round of the Byway Project Funds program to provide financial assistance to byway members. Byway Project Funds are meant to support events, marketing and advertising efforts, and projects that help preserve the heritage of Illinois Route 66 and promote travel to Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants
About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield
The Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois, is due for $15.1 million in improvements under the state's Rebuild Illinois capital plan. According to the State Journal-Register in Springfield: The money will go towards a variety of improvements according to an announcement from the governor's office Friday including replacement of the roof and wooden flooring, … Continue reading About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield
Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission
Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, director of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, died Saturday less than a month after her appointment to the Route 66 Centennial Commission. Her death was reported by the Springfield State Journal-Register after the Illinois Association of Museums announced it Sunday. She was 50. No cause of death was reported by either the … Continue reading Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission