Route 66 Road Fest to Celebrate Heritage, History of Historic Route 66

By: Tom Fink | Category: Recreation/Leisure | Issue: June 2022

The “Mother of All Road Fests” will be rolling into Oklahoma this June. Dubbed the Route 66 Road Fest, this celebration of America’s Mother Road, aka, Route 66, will be making a stop in Oklahoma City and Tulsa June 18-19 and June 25-26, respectively.

With the coming 100-year-anniversary of Route 66, the American Automobile Association (AAA) will be starting the celebration early with two weekends to celebrate America’s rich history and give motorists the opportunity to experience Route 66 like never before.

Route 66 was commissioned in 1926 and fully paved by the late 1930s, running from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California, creating connections between hundreds of small towns and providing a trucking route through the Southwest

As Oklahoma boasts more than 400 miles of Route 66 – more than any other state, the Sooner State is the longest leg of the journey for those wishing to enjoy Route 66 from behind the wheel of their car, with a mix of historic and modern experiences along the way.

Both Route 66 Road Fest celebrations in Oklahoma City will include vintage cars, local and regional music, local vendors booths, and activities for the whole family, with the opportunity for motorists to encounter all the exceptional towns, attractions, roadside oddities, and activities that the Mother Road has to offer from Quapaw to Texola and all points in-between.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa area Route 66 Road Fest celebrations will include a day of exhibits, including a decade-by-decade journey through time that starts with the birth of the Mother Road in the roaring 20s, and travel to the present and future, including robotics, drones, virtual reality, unmanned vehicles and more.

Family-friendly activities and live entertainment also will be part of the occasion, as will card shows and opportunities for car enthusiasts to get together to share their love of all things automobile.

Several ambassadors from Route 66 communities, such as Tanya Andrews, executive director of VisitClaremore, are partnering with AAA Oklahoma to serve as exhibitors during both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Road Fests.

The Route 66 Road Fest Classic Car Shows will be held from
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds – Bennett Event Center (June 18-19) and at the Tulsa Fairgrounds – SageNet Center at Expo Square (June 25-26).

Cars & Coffee will be the chance for car owners to gather together and enjoy the camaraderie of car aficionados. This casual event will take place outside the gates of the event locations, with spots going fast.

Tickets for these events are $20 for adults, $10 for teens 12-17, and $5 for children 5-11, and free to children four years old and younger.

Tickets for the Tulsa show may be ordered at www.exposquare.com/events/2022/route-66-roadfest-2022-06. Tickets for the Oklahoma City show may be ordered at www.etix.com/ticket/e/1024947/aaa-route-66-road-fest-oklahoma-city-okc-fairgrounds-oklahoma-city

For more information about the Route 66 Road Fest, visit them online at route66roadfest.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/route66roadfest, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/route66roadfest.

Route 66 Road Fest Events & Hot Spots in Claremore and Rogers County

Catoosa:

June 18-Rogers Point Park

The American Legion Lakey/Cherokee Post 1800 will host their second annual Show and Shine Event. Car Show, vendors, food, live music, and a pinup contest.

June 22 through June 25-City of Catoosa’s Libertyfest Carnival at Rogers Point Park. Family fun, food, games, and rides begin at 4 p.m. daily. Libertyfest will end June 25 with a spectacular Fireworks Show!

A Route 66 must, a visit to the Blue Whale! One of the most famous icons on the Mother Road!

Claremore:

June 20 through June 26-Claremore Restaurant Week, Dine and save in Claremore!  Purchase special meal deals from participating restaurants and also get a chance to win prizes with your Restaurant Week Bingo card.  For more information contact the Claremore Chamber of Commerce at 918.341.2818; or visit their website, www.claremore.org, to view their growing list of participating restaurants.

June 23- Lilac Festival: Food Truck Thursday, June 23 at 6 pm - 9 pm, Downtown Claremore, 412 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK 74017

June 24-Will Rogers Memorial will host a Route 66 film, “The American Odyssey,” at the Museum. 7 p.m., free; popcorn and drinks

June 24-Will Rogers Memorial Museum Lecture Series at North Block Common

June 24-Celebrate 6:19 Nutrition’s 7-year anniversary with the special Route 66 drink!

June 25-the Claremore Museum of History will unveil the extension of the Patti Page Exhibit, “Concert In the Park” featuring the greatest hits of “The Singing Rage, Miss Patti Page”

Your Route 66 visit in Claremore is not complete without a visit to the world-class J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, the world’s largest privately-owned gun collection!

Foyil:

A Route 66 must, a visit to the Totem Pole Park, another famous Route 66 icon!

Another must is a visit to Andy Payne Park on Foyil’s original alignment of the Mother Road, which honors the winner of the 1927 Bunion Derby. Next to the park is the Route 66 Texaco Filling Station, originally built in the 1920s.

Chelsea:

When in Chelsea you must visit the Tunnel! Walk under highway 66, and visit the mural designed under the road!

Complete your visit at the Pryor Creek Bridge, a pony truss bridge built in 1926 on the original alignment of Route 66.

A sampling of upcoming AAA Route 66 Road Fest events include:

Thursday Night Cruisers Annual Car Show

When: June 11

Where: 1116 W. HWY 152, Mustang, Oklahoma

Details: TNC Annual Car Show with 35 classes first, second, and third place as well as sponsor picks and Best of Show. 50/50 Cash and Prizes! $100 cash giveaway each hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 11, 2022, at 1116 W. HWY 152 in Mustang, OK. Registration 8:30-11 a.m., awards at 2:30. Participant judging. $20 pre-registration, $25 day of show.

Cost: $25

More information: www.Thursdaynightcruisers.org

Vinita Route 66 Festival

When: 5-10 p.m. June 16 through June 18

Where: Downtown Vinita

Details: This three-day event held on the Mother Road kicks off Thursday, June 16, with a carnival that runs through Saturday. Friday night’s Block Party on Route 66 adds food trucks and live entertainment to the festivities held just steps from the building Cyrus Avery used as an office just before statehood. The carnival and food trucks continue Saturday along with a 100+ Car Show, vendors, and more live entertainment.

Cost: Free

More information: vinitaroute66festival.com

Rolling Thunder Car Truck & Cycle Show

When: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 26

Where: 900 W. Memorial Road, Oklahoma City

Details: Hosted by Central Oklahoma Pontiac Association and Thunder Roadhouse Cafe, this event will showcase vintage and new cars, trucks, and cycles of all makes and models. Trophies will be awarded in each class, and there will be a 50/50 pot, prize drawings, and live music performed by Straight Shooter.

Cost: $25

More information: www.copa.site

50th Anniversary Pontiac Oakland Club International Convention

When: July 12-16

Where: Hard Rock Casino Tulsa, Catoosa

Details:  Five days of swap meets car shows, and drag races for Pontiac, GMC, and Oakland vehicle owners. Attendees must be POCI members to register for the convention, but non-POCI members may be swap meet vendors and be involved in the Pontiac Drag races. July 12-16, 2022. Drag races will be held Friday evening at Tulsa Raceway Park. This special 50th anniversary is hosted by Tulsa-based Pontiac Club and Indian Nations Pontiac Club. POCI is a worldwide organization promoting the history surrounding the Pontiac automobile. Several bus tours will be offered to Oklahoma attractions, specialty-designed car cruises, and guest speakers to talk about many items pertaining to Pontiac in general. For those entering the convention, there will be a free Welcome Party within four hours from the Tulsa Playboys. Those attending the Thursday banquet will be entertained by Pake McEntire, Reba’s brother, then Saturday night during happy hour before the awards banquet, famed fiddle player Jana Jae will be on hand to perform and sign autographs. Spectators may view all the vehicles for free.

More information: https://www.poci.org/

The Route 66 Road Fest Classic Car Shows

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Oklahoma City Fairgrounds – Bennett Event Center (June 18-19) and at the Tulsa Fairgrounds – SageNet Center at Expo Square (June 25-26).

Details: Cars & Coffee will be the chance for car owners to gather together and enjoy the camaraderie of car aficionados. This casual event will take place outside the gates of the event locations, with spots going fast. Tickets for these events are $20 for adults, $10 for teens 12-17, and $5 for children 5-11, and free to children four years old and younger.


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Rt. 66 Road Fest

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Route 66 Road Fest

Tulsa, OK



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