News Summary
Springfield, Missouri, is gearing up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of U.S. Route 66 with major festivities starting on April 30, 2026. As the birthplace of this historic highway, Springfield has extensive plans for concerts, storytelling, and community engagement throughout the year. The centennial celebration aims to honor Route 66’s cultural significance and promote its future in American history, drawing visitors from across the globe.
Springfield, Missouri, Gears Up for Route 66 Centennial Celebrations
Springfield, Missouri, is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of U.S. Route 66, which was officially established on November 11, 1926. Known as “America’s Main Street,” this iconic highway runs from Santa Monica, California, through various states including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri before concluding in Chicago, Illinois. The centennial festivities are set to kick off with a major event on April 30, 2026, featuring concerts and storytelling all related to Route 66.
The centennial anniversary of Route 66 is expected to draw significant interest from both domestic and international audiences, with plans for live broadcasts of various activities. Springfield was chosen as the host city largely due to its historical significance as the birthplace of the highway. The area has extensive plans for engaging activities that aim to highlight the road’s impact on American culture, tourism, and history.
Honoring a Historic Icon
Route 66 has been influential not just in practical transportation but also in popular culture. It gained widespread recognition from the famous 1946 song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66,” and became a household name thanks to the television series “Route 66,” which aired from 1960 to 1964. The highway has been referenced in various notable works including John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath, published in 1939, and the animated Cars film series.
Although Route 66 underwent several alterations and improvements over the decades, it was officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985. Despite this, many sections of the road still exist, with a mix of thriving businesses and abandoned gas stations, restaurants, and motels that tell the story of this historical roadway.
Community Engagement and Preservation Efforts
Throughout the preparations for the centennial, various cities along Route 66 are actively investing in projects that emphasize the cultural importance of the highway. Springfield plans to hold its annual Route 66 festival alongside the centennial celebrations, taking place on August 8-9, 2026. The local government has also initiated 33 official projects aimed at promoting Route 66 and securing its designation as a national historic trail.
In addition to Springfield’s plans, other cities like Joliet, Illinois, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, are also developing events to mark the centennial. Joliet officials aim to attract visitors from across the U.S. and internationally, while Albuquerque has plans for redevelopment along its 18-mile stretch of Route 66, which includes augmented reality art installations designed to engage audiences in a modern context.
Artistic Contributions to the Celebration
Artist Joan Gladstone is contributing to the centennial celebrations by displaying her artwork, which highlights both Route 66 and Newport Beach scenes, at the Newport Beach Public Library until June 29. Her artwork seeks to evoke nostalgia for the highway and its significance in American history. Furthermore, Gladstone is committed to donating 10% of sales from her Route 66 paintings to revitalization efforts aimed at preserving the road’s legacy.
The Future of Route 66
As communities gear up for the upcoming centennial celebration, the efforts surrounding Route 66 highlight a broader commitment to its historical significance and cultural impact. By organizing a series of engaging activities, cities along the highway are not only celebrating its past but also promoting its future in American culture.
With the centennial quickly approaching, Route 66 remains a vital part of American history, drawing the interest of travelers, history buffs, and families alike, eager to explore the countless stories and experiences it has to offer.
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Additional Resources
- TravelMole: Route 66 Birthplace to Kick Off Mother Road Centennial Celebration
- News-Leader: Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Concert 2026 in Springfield, MO
- Fox32: Route 66 Turns 100 – Illinois Gears Up for 2026 Centennial Celebration
- Wikipedia: U.S. Route 66
- KOB: City of Albuquerque Gears Up for Centennial Celebration of Route 66
- Google Search: Route 66 Centennial
- The Suburban Times: The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: U.S. Route 66
- News-Journal: Springfield, Missouri Named Host City for National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff
- Google News: Route 66 Celebration
