[August 07, 2012]    

The Ernie and Fran Edwards Route 66 International Appreciation Day was held Sunday at the Pig Hip restaurant site in Broadwell.

Ernie Edwards, an iconic figure known for his tall white chef's hat and equally tall tales, owned and operated the Pig Hip on Route 66 in Broadwell for many years. He was one of the initial inductees into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in June 1990 and is one of only three Logan County residents to receive the honor.

Edwards died April 16, 2012. He and his wife were honored on what would have been his 95th birthday.

Approximately 100-150 people turned out to celebrate the day, and of those, about 25 took the tour of The Mill restaurant in Lincoln as well.

The Route 66 Foundation of Logan County thanks all the sponsors who made the day possible:

Kroger Foods of Lincoln, 5th St. Food Mart of Lincoln, Route 66 Association of Illinois, Route 66 Preservation Committee, Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, village of Broadwell, Illinois Office of Tourism, Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, Little Caesars Pizza of Lincoln, Hallie's Restaurant in Lincoln, Land of Lincoln Tourism Development Office, Chicago Street Rentals of Lincoln, Railsplitter Antique Auto Club of Lincoln, the Ernie and Fran Edwards families, and the Logan Railsplitting Association.

Special thanks to Logan County Fair for being so understanding.

Pictures provided by the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County