Route 66 Blowout Is Back

Classic cars, trucks and motorcycles will gather on the Mother Road on June 5 for the biggest ever Route 66 Blowout.

The Route 66 Blowout committee enjoys a look back in motoring ­history with this classic 1936 Ford convertible, owned by Larry ­Stansbury. (Clockwise from left): Sapulpa Main Street Executive ­Director Janet Beil, Gina Belk, Kayla Parnell, Larry Stansbury, ­Kristin Folger, Jessica Brose, Mike House and Cindy McDonald.

Classic cars, trucks and motorcycles will gather on the Mother Road on June 5 for the biggest ever Route 66 Blowout. The annual event, sponsored by Sapulpa Main Street, is in its 21st year of celebrating quality classic cars, street rod cars, classic trucks and motorcycles in competitive categories.

Last year’s record-breaking show brought back a motorcycle contest after a 10-year absence. The response was so overwhelming, organizers decided to expand the competition this year! There will be 11 judged categories for motorcycles, and 33 for cars and trucks.

The Route 66 Blowout is recognized as one of the largest classic car shows in the Midwest. Some say it even rivals many national shows. Entrants gather along Dewey Avenue, also known as Main Street and part of historic Route 66. This year as many as 500 entrants are expected, along with 25,000 spectators, to show their appreciation for vehicles from the earliest motoring days.

Committee member Cindy McDonald remembers the very first event, which she also served in 1989. “There were 35 classic cars spilling out of a small parking lot.” She recalls there was only one vendor at the show. Now the event covers 12 blocks and features nearly 100 vendors who offer food, crafts, souvenirs, jewelry, candles, books, photographs, motorcycle items, and even Tupperware.

Food favorites include burgers, bratwursts, smoothies, kettle corn and beer in Martha’s Corner, which will transform into “The Watering Hole.” The Sapulpa Fire Department will cook up their perennial favorite, barbecue. Another popular attraction is the Sapulpa Rotary Club’s Salsa Festival. For a small fee, participants can taste a variety of homemade salsas and cast their vote for their favorite.

Music will fill the air all day, with a Four Winds Sound deejay spinning rock ’n roll tunes and a live performance by The Beacon Drive Band. The Fraternal Order of Police will offer a supervised Kids Zone, free of charge, where children can climb kid-friendly versions of rock walls, jump on bouncers, and even enjoy a special bungee jump. On the corner of Lee and Water Streets, the Waite Phillips Car Museum will be open to the public with more classic cars, vintage gasoline pumps and gas station memorabilia.

“This has grown to become a big family event,” says Janet Beil, executive director of Sapulpa Main Street. There is no admission charge, and people can come as they are to have fun the entire day. For some, the old cars will bring back memories of their youth or old family photographs. For some youngsters, it will be difficult to imagine riding in a car without a DVD, ABS or GPS.

“The crowd just grows each year,” adds Janet. “Spectators, vendors and entrants come for the first time, and they are hooked. They see what a great little community Sapulpa is, and they come back year after year.”

Over 100 volunteers join to make Route 66 Blowout the largest fundraiser for Sapulpa Main Street, now celebrating its 20th year of preserving and revitalizing Sapulpa’s downtown business district. Committee members are Mike House, Jessica Brose, Kayla Parnell, Cindy McDonald, Kristin Folger, Gina Belk, Tami Fleak and Jolen Boyd. Presenting sponsors are Danny Beck Chevrolet, Waste Management and Tour Sapulpa.

Local merchants roll out the red carpet by staying open longer hours and by offering Blowout specials. The show runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 5. Vehicle registration begins at 8 a.m. The first 200 registrants receive dash plaques and goodie bags. Cash prizes, trophies and door prizes will be awarded at 3 p.m. For more information, call (918) 224-5709 or visit ­www.sapulpamainstreet.com.

For more information, contact

Sapulpa Main Street

www.sapulpamainstreet.com

About Author Deanna Rebro

Deanna Rebro has worked in the publishing industry 30+ years, including eight years writing for Value News. She has also worked in real estate for the past six years. Deanna graduated from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio with a B.A. in Journalism. Outside of work, she serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Pet Adoption League. “Every story I write is a learning experience,” she said.