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 A dedication ceremony will take place at its annual Fall Festival
on Saturday, September 10th at 2:30 p.m. “While it does offer a
unique photo opportunity, we hope the signage will be a welcoming
experience that acknowledges the large number of international
travelers that drive along Route 66 through Williamsville," said
Village President Tom Yokley.
Collaborative Effort
The Williamsville Public Library and Museum has long recognized the
significance and frequency of the international traveler to the
area, having documented their presence through both a sign-in book
and a map where pushpins indicate the various countries represented.
 The idea to build the multi-directional sign came from Route 66
enthusiast David Ala n Badger, who noted that he has not seen an
attraction of this kind during his extensive travels along Illinois'
Route 66. In addition to providing a one-of-a-kind photo
opportunity, Mr. Badger also suggested that a streaming web-cam
would further facilitate a memory making experience for the
international traveler by connecting them to loved ones around the
world.
Along with the carved post and Route 66 topper, individual members
of the Sangamon Valley Woodcarvers have designed and produced
placards representing each country; thus allowing for a breadth of
creative artistry among the collective group.
The Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway provided the Village
with a list of the top visiting countries, all of which will be
included on the multi-directional sign: Germany, United Kingdom,
Canada, China, Australia, Czechoslovakia, Japan, France, Italy and
Holland. New York, Chicago and Los Angeles will also have a place
alongside the countries.
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The Village of Williamsville will install a streaming web-cam directed at the
Route 66 multi-directional sign, which is accessible to the public via the
Village website at williamsville.illinois.gov. A grant worth $1,000 for
technological equipment and installation was awarded to the Village of
Williamsville by the Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway in support of
increasing the economic impact of tourism along Illinois Route 66.
Fall Festival Dedication
The sign sits on Route 66, outside the newly constructed Williamsville Public
Library and Museum, located at 217 North Elm Street. The dedication of the
multi¬-directional sign, as well as recognition for those who contributed to its
development, is planned for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 10th in downtown
Williamsville. Taking place the second weekend of September, Williamsville's
Fall Festival is September 9th and 10th; details about events planned for Friday
and Saturday are available on the Village of Williamsville website.
[Karen Winger, Village of
Williamsville/Geoff Ladd, Project Administrator, Illinois Route 66
Scenic Byway]
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