Huge theme park near Vinita likely will be delayed for three years

To no one's surprise, a multibillion-dollar theme park along Route 66 near Vinita, Oklahoma, probably will be delayed for three years. Mansion Entertainment, a company with ties to Branson, Missouri, announced in summer 2023 that it would build the American Heartland theme park and RV park by Route 66’s centennial year in 2026 and draw 5 million visitors annually. … Continue reading Huge theme park near Vinita likely will be delayed for three years

New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

Big theme park project near Vinita already showing signs of financial problems

A humongous theme park development planned off Route 66 near Vinita, Oklahoma, already is showing signs of financial issues barely six months after a groundbreaking. Mansion Entertainment, a company with ties to Branson, Missouri, announced last summer it would build the American Heartland theme park and RV park by 2026, which is Route 66's centennial … Continue reading Big theme park project near Vinita already showing signs of financial problems

Oklahoma Route 66 Association launches new membership for children

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is launching a new type of membership focused on engaging youth 8 to 18 years old, called the Route 66 Explorer’s Club. “Our hope is to inspire the next generation of roadies by encouraging more youth to explore Route 66,” Rhys Martin, president of the association, stated in a news … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association launches new membership for children

Ground broken for huge Three Ponies RV Park and Campground near Vinita

Local and state officials broke ground this week on the enormous Three Ponies RV Park and Campground just off Route 66 near Vinita, Oklahoma. Three Ponies will be a luxury outdoor resort containing 300 cabins and 750 RV sites. At 320 acres, the development will be the largest campground in the region, according to a … Continue reading Ground broken for huge Three Ponies RV Park and Campground near Vinita

Groundbreaking scheduled for Oct. 30 for a huge RV park near Vinita

Groundbreaking is scheduled for Oct. 30 for a gigantic campground near Vinita, Oklahoma, that will feature 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins. The Three Ponies RV Park and Campground is the first part of a planned $2 billion theme park just off Route 66, reported the Tulsa World. The groundbreaking for the RV park was … Continue reading Groundbreaking scheduled for Oct. 30 for a huge RV park near Vinita

Punkin Chunkin event next month moves to Vinita off Route 66

The famous Punkin Chunkin pumpkin-launching event, long held in Delaware, has moved this year to Vinita, Oklahoma, just off Route 66. John's Tractor Works three miles east of Vinita is hosting the event. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. on Oct. 28. It's being sponsored by the Vinita Rotary Club and MidAmerica Outdoors. WBOC in Delaware … Continue reading Punkin Chunkin event next month moves to Vinita off Route 66

‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita

What is Massachusetts' loss apparently is Oklahoma Route 66's gain. The Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma, recently acquired the so-called "Big Indian" that stood outside the Native and Himalayan Views, formerly the Big Indian Shop, for nearly 50 years in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. According to the Greenfield Recorder, the 20-foot-tall fiberglass statue was the subject … Continue reading ‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita

Huge, American Heartland theme park planned for Vinita

An American Heartland theme park that is expected to cost billions of dollars to build and draw 5 million visitors a year is coming to the Route 66 town of Vinita, Oklahoma. The developers have an ambitious timeline of opening by 2026, which would be the centennial of Route 66. According to News on 6 … Continue reading Huge, American Heartland theme park planned for Vinita

Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66

Recently, Eat This, Not That! compiled a list of the "16 Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America." In what shouldn't be a surprise, four of them are on old Route 66. Without further ado, here are the website's four diners with extensive ties to the Mother Road: Lou Mitchell's, Chicago Clanton's Cafe, Vinita, Oklahoma Mr. … Continue reading Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66