The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, is expanding from two to three days this summer after returning for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's festival -- the 10th -- is slated for Aug. 11-13. According to OzarksFirst.com, organizers hope to draw 70,000 to 75,000 people to … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival expanding to three days in its return from COVID-19
Tag: Springfield MO
Historic Crystal Cave near Springfield reopens this week in the first time in nearly a decade
The more than century-old Crystal Cave north of Springfield, Missouri, will reopen Wednesday for the first time nearly in a decade after landing a new owner who made improvements to the property. The cave, with its 72 acres and an 1892 house, had been for sale since 2016, the Springfield News-Leader reports. Now, the cave … Continue reading Historic Crystal Cave near Springfield reopens this week in the first time in nearly a decade
More than 70 episodes of “Ozark Jubilee” music TV show now are online
More than 70 episodes of the influential "Ozark Jubilee" music television show that aired on ABC-TV from Springfield, Missouri, during the late 1950s and early '60s now can be viewed on YouTube. Getting those nearly 70-year-old episodes online was part of Missouri State University Libraries' years-long Ozark Jubilee Digitization Project that finished in early February, … Continue reading More than 70 episodes of “Ozark Jubilee” music TV show now are online
Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo
A second Buc-ee's convenience store near the Route 66 corridor soon will be built, this time on the east side of Amarillo, Texas. Barely three weeks ago, the city council of Springfield, Missouri, approved incentives for the construction of a Buc-ee's on the city's northeast side. That one will be open 12 to 15 months … Continue reading Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo
Kearney Street redevelopment includes tearing down Springfield Inn motel
It looks like the city fathers of Springfield, Missouri, are pretty earnest in redeveloping the moribund Kearney Street corridor: They're tearing down the closed Springfield Inn motel to make way for it. According to KY3 in Springfield, bulldozers soon will raze that property to bring in new construction of retail stores to revitalize the area, … Continue reading Kearney Street redevelopment includes tearing down Springfield Inn motel
First Buc-ee’s travel center along Route 66 planned in Springfield, Missouri
The Route 66 corridor appears to finally be getting a Buc-ee's convenience store, and it's coming to Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield News-Leader reported the huge travel center will be built at Mulroy Road and Interstate 44 on the city's northeast edge. Mulroy Road intersects with old Route 66 on the south side of the interstate. … Continue reading First Buc-ee’s travel center along Route 66 planned in Springfield, Missouri
Route 66 Food Truck Park, including Muffler Man, put up for sale
The Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield, Missouri, has been placed on the market, along with its 25-foot-tall Muffler Man statue the owner commissioned the venture. KY3 in Springfield reports that owner Kirk Wheeler, who opened the food-truck park nearly two years ago, is wanting to retire, so he's selling that and his Mother … Continue reading Route 66 Food Truck Park, including Muffler Man, put up for sale
Gillioz Theatre in Springfield marks its 95th year
The Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, is marking its 95th anniversary its month, surviving all sorts of upheaval and trends, including COVID-19. According to the KY3 station in Springfield, coming through the pandemic was no small feat: Throughout the years, the theatre has survived the depression, World War II, and most recently the pandemic. … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre in Springfield marks its 95th year
Newest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Six projects, including four historic sites, will receive more than $103,000 in cost-share grants from the Route 66 Corridon Preservation Program under the auspices of the National Park Service. The awards first were revealed Thursday in a social media post for the Road Runner's Retreat complex, which received a grant, near Chambless, California. Here are … Continue reading Newest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival canceled due to COVID-19 upsurge
Next month's Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, was canceled Monday due to concerns about an upturn of COVID-19 cases in the region. The festival, which typically draws between 60,000 and 80,000 people, was axed for a second straight year because of the pandemic. It had been scheduled for Aug. 13-14, including a … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival canceled due to COVID-19 upsurge