FLAGSTAFF
Route 66 once passed through Flagstaff. The city’s Mother Road Brewing Company – the route’s nickname – celebrates that rich heritage. The Flagstaff Visitor Center in downtown Flagstaff will be handing out a Route 66 Passport. The passport features 46 locations along Route 66. Visitors who carry one can also get discounts and even free souvenirs at select spots. Visit route66navigation.com/passport for more information.
MUSEUM OF NORTHERN ARIZONA: “WAGON ROAD TO MOTHER ROAD”
NOW UNTIL OCT. 26
From now until Oct. 26, the Museum of Northern Arizona will host a special exhibit called “Wagon Road to Mother Road.” The exhibit will feature memorabilia and artifacts from the time period.
Museum of Northern Arizona: “Wagon Road to Mother Road”
This includes items like a hand-painted map of Route 66, a 1931 Ford Model A pickup, a Philips 66 gas pump, oil cans, soda bottles and liquor bottles from that time.
Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona
FLAGSTAFF ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
JUNE 6
Flagstaff will celebrate the Flagstaff Route 66 Centennial Celebration with a free, family-friendly street festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 6. The event will include a classic car show, nostalgic reenactments, streetscape art installations and sky writing, among other activities. Visit flagstaffarizona.org for more.
Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona
THE GREAT RACE
JUNE 20 TO 28
The Great Race follows the entire length of Route 66, spanning from Illinois to California. Expect to see pre-World War II cars along this road. It might be worth waiting along Route 66 to see these historic vehicles in action. They are, after all, the cars that many American families traveled in when they headed out West searching for better lives. The rally will take place from June 20 to 28. The rally will overnight in Flagstaff on June 25. The rally will next travel to the Arizona cities of Kingman and Oatman on June 26. Visit greatrace.com for more information.
MOTHER ROAD CLASSIC CAR SHOW
AUG. 15
The name of this event says it all. Look forward to a classic car show that raises funds that benefit Flagstaff charities.
“ROUTE 66, THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA” SCREENING
OCT. 10 AND 11
On Oct. 10 and 11, guests can watch a special screening of the documentary “Route 66, The Main Street of America” at Flagstaff’s The Orpheum Theater. Filmmaker John Paget has created this feature-length documentary. Viewers can look forward to footage from storied Route 66 and interviews with the individuals running businesses along the iconic and very American highway. Guests also can look forward to screenings in Kingman on Oct. 15 at the Beale Street Theater, along with others in Holbrook, Winslow and Seligman. Dates for those showings have not been announced as of press time. Visit 66roadshow.com for more information.
SELIGMAN, KINGMAN & TOPOCK
SELIGMAN CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
APRIL 20
The tiny town of Seligman (population: about 440) will host the Seligman Centennial Celebration in April. On April 20, Seligman will unveil new signs commemorating the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and will throw a party to celebrate. Visit historic66az.com for more information.
Route 66 Museum in Kingman, Arizona
ROUTE 66 FUN RUN
MAY 1 TO 3
Don’t let the name fool you. The Route 66 Fun Run features more than 800 vehicles traveling along Route 66 for 140 miles. The event will start in Seligman before traveling to Kingman, Oatman and then wrap up in Topock on May 3. When in Topock, attendees can look forward to a BBQ, a raffle, a car show, drinks and music. Visit historic66az.com/fun-run for more information.
Kingman, Arizona Visitor Center
ROUTE 66 ULTRARUN
NOV. 13 TO 16
Long-distance runners looking to celebrate the centennial of Route 66 by running a 100-mile race. The ultra race kicks off at the Hualapai Indian Reservations and finishes at Topock. Visit
route66ultrarun.com for more information.
Mr. D’z in Kingman, Arizona
KINGMAN ROUTE 66 FEST
OCT. 16 TO 17
Kingman, often called the Gateway to the Grand Canyon due to its proximity to the national park, will host a Route 66 Fest on Oct 16 and 17. On Oct. 16, attendees can look forward to a Modern Classics Car Show from 2 to 6 p.m. They also can look forward to a silent disco, a photobooth and a live band from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. On Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., guests can look forward a Classics 66 Car Show, a Queen of the Mother Road Pin Up Contest, a DJ, a silent disco and live music from the Reverend Horton Heat band. The event’s website notes that the events are subject to change. Visit 66fest.com for more information.
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Oatman Road, Route 66
ROUTE 66 ROADS & RAILS FESTIVAL
APRIL 18 TO 19
Albuquerque’s Wheels Museum will be hosting a Route 66 Roads & Rails Festival. The Wheels Museum showcases a variety of planes, trains and automobiles. This free festival features live music, a family fun zone, local food trucks and other vendors, talks, exhibits and community meetups. Visitors also can explore the city via trolley, bike and walking tours. Visit wheelsmuseum.org for more information.
Painted Desert in Petrified Forest National Park Along Route 66
GRANTS, NEW MEXICO SPOKES ON 66 CAR SHOW
JUNE 6
Grants, New Mexico, will host the Spokes on 66 Car Show on June 6. Held at the Riverwalk Park, the car show will feature classic cars (naturally), live music and plenty of family fun. Visit grantsmainstreetproject.com/spokes-on-66-car-show for more information.
Vintage Car on Route 66
AMARILLO, TEXAS TEXAS ROUTE 66 FESTIVAL
JUNE 4 TO 13
Located in the Texas panhandle, Amarillo will host the 10-day Texas Route 66 Festival in June. This is the state of Texas’s only official Route 66 festival. Look forward to the Coors Ranch Rodeo, a Downtown Cattle Drive & Parade, a Lowrider Cruise in addition to bus tours along Route 66 in East and West Texas. The festival concludes on June 13 with a blowout festival in Amarillo on historic 6th Avenue. Look forward to food, local vendors and plenty of Western flair. Visit visitamarillo.com/events/route-66 for more information.
