Attention National Scenic Byway Stakeholders!

As you may or may not know, the future of the National Scenic Byway Program is currently unknown. The National Scenic Byway Foundation is reaching out to grassroots byways and their stakeholders about informing members of Congress and other stakeholders about the importance of the byway program to the economic vitality and sustainability of our communities, regions and the nation.

Please help us connect with you – whether you are a byway leader, an attraction or business that benefits from tourism and the National Scenic Byway Program or an interested party who wants to stay informed – Please click the link below to take a 2-minute survey so we can stay connected with you and provide you information that helps demonstrate the importance of this program.

Link to Survey

National Park Service Announces 2011 Cost-Share Grant Awards for the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

The following properties have received awards:

Route 66 Motel – Kingman, Arizona

Ariston Cafe – Litchfield, Illinois

Dell Rhea Chicken Basket – Hinsdale, Illinois

Luna Cafe – Mitchell, Illinois

Sprague Super Service – Normal, Illinois

Meramec River Bridge – Eureka, Missouri

Sunset Motel – Villa Ridge, Missouri

Wagon Wheel Motel – Cuba, Missouri

Round Barn – Arcadia, Oklahoma

Firestone Station – Bristow, Oklahoma

For more details see this PDF –

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program Funded Projects – 2011

First Annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Announced

Springfield, Missouri Convention and Visitors Bureau

Springfield, Mo. – The West Central Neighborhood Alliance is planning the first annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Mo.

The festival is set for noon-8 p.m. Aug. 13 on College Street west of Grant Avenue. Activities include live music, food, activities for kids, interpretive history, a classic car show and more.

On April 30, 1926, officials first proposed the name of Route 66, the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway that became one of the most famous roads in America. People from around the world seeking a unique look at American culture still travel the route even though it was officially removed from the U.S. highway system in 1985. Many portions of “The Mother Road” are still visible in Springfield, along with other sites and sights that were at their heyday when Route 66 was the main east-west route through the country.

“It is important that people realize the significance of Route 66 in the history of the city and the country, and that it was born here,” said David Eslick, a member of the Route 66 Association of Missouri and co-chair of the festival. “This festival will be a fun way to achieve that recognition.”

The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is designed to celebrate and remember the role Springfield played in the Route 66 era. College Street, where the festival will take place, is on the original Route 66 byway.

Partnering with the festival will be Mother’s Brewing (Springfield’s newest craft brewery) and Bud’s Tire & Wheel (established in 1958 to distribute custom wheels to its Route 66 customers).  More than 3,000 people visited Mother’s “Backyard” to celebrate its grand opening in May and raise money for Joplin tornado relief.

Tickets for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival are $3 in advance at Machino’s, 1715 S. Campbell Ave., and Urban Districts Alliance, 304 W. McDaniel St. Cost at the gate is $5. Children 5 and younger are free.

For more information about the festival, call Urban Districts Alliance at 417-831-6200.

For more information about Springfield, visit www.SpringfieldAdventures.com or call the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-678-8767.

Let Them Eat Art in Downtown Maplewood – July 8th, 6 to 11 pm

"Let Them Eat Art", July 8th in Maplewood, MO

Come see the Route 66 Association of Missouri booth at the Let Them Eat Art event in downtown Maplewood, Missouri. We will be located at Citizens National Bank Park.

The 6th Annual Let Them Eat Art, a self-guided tour of enchantment and excitement, is Friday, July 8th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Historic Downtown Maplewood.
The event features:

● Live Art demonstrations by favorite local artists and gallery openings including Hoffman LaChance Fine Art, Studio Altius and Turner Center for the Arts.
● Live Music featuring the Zydeco Crawdaddys and an array of acoustic performers.
● Live Entertainment: belly dancing, dream interpretation, top spinning, face painting and surprises!
● Cocktail and menu specials from Maplewood’s finest restaurants.
● A Costume Contest with celebrity judges and cash prizes.
● New in 2011: The unveiling of the newest public art project in Historic Downtown Maplewood featuring work by a St. Louis regional artist.
● New in 2011: A group sing-a-long of “Get Your Kicks on Route 66”. Everyone at the event will sing this song together accompanied by all of the musicians, including the Zydeco Crawdaddys and harpist Terri Langerak.
● New in 2011: Screenings of Bill Boll’s documentary on Coral Courts “Built for Speed: The Coral Court Motel”
You never know what or who you will see. Admission is open to the public and free!
Visit our website for more information:
● www.cityofmaplewood.com/ltea
A Brief History of Let Them Eat Art:
Maplewood resident, Doug Houser, conceived the idea to have a progressive Maplewood-themed art show. He brought the idea to Rachelle L’Ecuyer, Community Development Director. The first date available on her event calendar was July 14th, Bastille Day, and they decided to organize an event. Jay Schober, owner of Maya Café, dubbed the happening “Let Them Eat Art” and a fabulous event was born on July 14, 2006. Since then the event has developed into one of the region’s largest arts events. In 2010 thousands of people filled the sidewalks from Southwest Avenue to Manchester to Sutton and there were close to 50 unique venues with live art, music and entertainment. 2011 breaks out to Big Bend Boulevard and the venues will offer a vast scope of entertainment and endless amounts of fun for everyone.

The Route 66 Association of Missouri Welcomes New Business Members

We welcome the following new business members and thank them for their support.

Hood’s Propane Co., Inc – Bois D’Arc

Hood’s Service Center, Inc. – Bois D’Arc

Mizell Funeral Home – Cuba

Genghis Grilll – Ellisville

Hutchens Mortuary & Cremation Center – Florissant

Gateway Uniform & Apparel – Hazelwood

Creve Coeur Paving – St. Louis

Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce – Sullivan

Mile 277 Tap & Grill – Sunset Hills

Hoppers Pub – Waynesville

Cooper’s Grill – Webb City

Steve’s Candy and Jerky – Galena, KS

Please patronize the business members that support what we do. Here is a link to the complete list:
Route 66 Association of Missouri Business Members