20th Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival is this weekend in Springfield

 

[September 24, 2021] 

After a year hiatus, the Route 66 Mother Road Festival is excited about the festival this upcoming weekend. The cars, the music, the fun and nostalgia that Route 66 has brought to generations will be rolling into historic downtown Springfield, this weekend, September 24th – 26th.

The show will be locally managed by Greg “Coop” and Sue Cooper, with operations headed by Shane “Shaner” McDermith. Keeping the show local and focused on a community feel with much of the tradition that the Mother Road Festival has become known for, is top priority this year.

Weekend Show Highlights

• Admission is FREE for spectators

• Friday night Route 66 City Nights Cruise with up to 2,000 classic cars cruising into downtown Springfield (sponsored by Langheim Concrete in memory of Chad Langheim), featuring a “Hail to Heroes” tribute to local First Responders (sponsored by Isringhausen Imports and Back The Blue Illinois).

• Celebrity Butch Patrick, Eddie Munster and his coach will be driving in the Friday cruise and available for meet & greet on Saturday at the show (sponsored by Recon Techs).

• Burnout Competition Saturday (sponsored by Hoosier Tire).

• Live Entertainment Friday & Saturday

• Post your "selfie" at any Illinois Route 66 landmark to Facebook, or Instagram with hashtag #MyIL66 and #visitspringfield to be featured on the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Visit Springfield social media!

• Downtown Springfield, Inc. Farmers Market - Saturday

• State Capitol Photo Op! Stage a photo of your car with the majestic Illinois State Capitol Building as your backdrop (4th & Capitol)

• Grab the Explorer Passport and visit our Living Legends of Route 66 throughout Springfield, available at the Springfield Visitors Center

• Register your ride for a chance to be awarded one of the top honors, show will be judged by CASI certified national judges

• FESTIVAL HOURS: Friday, Sept. 24, 6PM – 10PM, Saturday, Sept. 25, 9AM – 10PM and Sunday, Sept. 26, 9AM –12PM.

• Complete schedule of events & map of festival layout and registration is available at www.Route66Fest.com.

“The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival is a tradition in Springfield,” said Scott Dahl, Director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Historic downtown is an incredible backdrop for this classic car event celebrating the allure of Route 66 that brings visitors from around the world.”

Make sure to arrive early to experience Friday night’s Route 66 City Nights Cruise, (sponsored by Langheim Concrete in memory of Chad Langheim) it’ll be featuring a “Hail to Heroes” tribute to local First Responders. This segment of vehicles near the front of the parade will be honoring those awesome frontline heroes that fought to save lives through this pandemic! As these vehicles pass by we ask that you wave some American flags in a sea of red, white, and blue, loudly applaud them and give them a standing ovation! "Hail to the Heroes" is proudly sponsored by Isringhausen Imports and Back the Blue Illinois!

Over 2000 cars participated in the 2019 cruise, as festival goers watched miles of vintage cars parade along Springfield’s legendary Route 66 streets into downtown. Find your spot among the thousands gathered to see an outstretched line of iconic vehicles.

The schedule is packed with plenty of family activities for everyone to experience. Enjoy the unique smell of smoke and tire during the “Burnout competition”; explore all of downtown’s unique shopping and enjoy the local culinary treasures. Maybe you’ll even want to enter the Miss Route 66 Festival Pin- Up Contest, hosted by Springfield Vintage.

Live music has always been a staple of the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and that continues this year, with music and bands throughout the weekend.

Learn more at: www.Route66Fest.com or on Facebook @Route66Fest

[Geoff Ladd
Assistant Director
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway]