2023 COMMUNITY EVENTS!
Saturday May 6th & Sunday May 7th, 2023
The Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival is a two-day event on the most famous two-lane highway in America. This 100-mile self-guided tour has been expanded to include activities from Joliet to Bloomington!
Join us for some nostalgic fun for the whole family. Each community will produce their own festival.
As an added bonus to our commemorative give-away this year, we would like to thank the
Route 66 Scenic Byway for this extra give-away promotion.
Download and check out the Illinois Route 66 mobile app by searching ‘Explore Illinois Route 66’ in the App Store or on Google Play. Here you will have an opportunity to click on ‘Passports’ and participate by entering the CODE available at each location. Check in via the mobile app at all 14 locations and you will be entered to win a prize package worth over $100!
Joliet- The Joliet Area Historical Museum: Free Admission all day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday.
Sunday start is 10:00 am
The Old Joliet Prison : The Welcome Center will open at 8:00 am on Saturday. Sunday start is 10:00am Various Car Clubs will be visiting and parking cars at the Museum and the Prison throughout the day.
Elwood- Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm - Corner of Mississippi Ave. and Douglas St, Historic Information. Antique Tractors Exhibit. Douglas Street Wayside Exhibits: featuring Rosie the Riveter, a statue of a munition's worker, lunchbox in hand, the original Route 66 pavement and commemorative giveaway (While supplies last).Saturday only: 8 am -1 pm: Craft Show
Sunday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Corner of Mississippi Avenue and Douglas St, Antique Tractors Exhibit. Douglas Street Wayside Exhibits: featuring Rosie the Riveter, a statue of a munition's worker, lunchbox in hand and original Route 66 pavement. Sunday Only: You may pick up a commemorative giveaway at Silver Dollar Restaurant 422 E Mississippi Avenue. (While supplies last) More Information contact: Elwood Village Hall 815-423-5011 / mail to: parks@villageofelwood.com
Wilmington- Visit Chamber tent at north end of downtown vendors 220 N. Water St. Flea market 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Hula contest, dance performance, food truck, Route 66 Band starting at noon and more. Info contact: 815-476-5991. On Sunday stop by Nelly's Restaurant, 110 Bridge St., (Route 66) to get your giveaway
Braidwood- Visit the information booth across from the Polk-A-Dot at the Rt66 Zoo for your give-away, along with our vendors. Stop at the Braidwood Museum on Main St, to see their Rt66 exhibit. Polk-A-Dot for their car show, photo-ops with Elvis, Superman & others. Hang N' Hog Saloon on Kennedy Rd. to see a great Rt66 4' x 14'oil painting on canvas. Contact (815)-710-0182
Godley- Visit the Route 66 Mining Museum for the Godley 2023 giveaway and Byway code. For info contact 815-458-2222 or 815-405-1906. Museum open Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday, 9 to noon.
Braceville- Stop at the Village Hall at the corner of S. Mitchell and Rt. 53. Baked goods will be sold by the United Methodist Church, Junk-in-the-Trunk sale in the parking lot, lunch Saturday and Sunday at the Wicked Cricket on Rt. 53. For more information call 815-237-8655.
Gardner - Meet & Greet with the Mayor at the Two-Cell Jail where you can pick up this year's giveaway. Other Saturday & Sunday activities Include: Gardner Archives open in the Village Hall 8-5. The Gardner Lions Club at The Street Car Diner serving root beer floats from 9-3 and pork chop sandwiches from 10 til gone. All town Garage Sales along with a Craft Show on Depot St hosted by Creative Gemz from 9-3.
Saturday only events on Depot St: Scapegoats Car Show in parking lot 10-4. Elvis tribute artist Hugo will perform 11- 1. Church of Hope Rock-a-thon at the Gazebo 10-1.
Sunday only event on Depot St: Tractor Show 10-4. More info contact: 815-237-2592
Dwight- Friday-Sunday-All town garage sales Friday & Saturday-Route 66 BBQ Smokeout, a Kansas City Barbecue Sanctioned event Saturday-Dwight PTO Vendor Fair 9-2
Saturday- Dwight Historical Society Museum open in the Historic depot. The Historic Texaco station will be open all weekend from 9-4 with Cherry Red Roasters supplying a food tent. Photo ops, family activities and more!!
Odell- Historic 1932 Standard Oil Gas Station on Rt. 66, Historic subway, souvenirs, soda, nostalgia for sale. Cafe 110 West-815-998-2500; GD's Saloon-815-998- 2556; LOBO's Tap-815-998-2383 More info: 815-998-2133 or
email info@odell-il.com
Pontiac- The Pontiac Community Art Center is hosting its annual Swinging Bridges Arts Festival Saturday, May 6 & Sunday, May 7. The 200 block of West Madison Street and The Eagle Theater will house artists selling handcrafted, fine art pieces. Live music, art demonstrations, entertainment, and food trucks. Museums open both days from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm-Free admission!! Pontiac giveaways will be at 209 W. Madison.
Chenoa- Stop in Chenoa, the Crossroads of Opportunity, located at Route 66 and Route 24. The Texaco Star is an original gas station location. Weave through town and pass the Matthew T. Scott House listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shop at the all town garage sales and a big vendor event: Chenoa superior shopping event! Enjoy historic architecture downtown and stop by Chenoa Pharmacy, still maintaining original 1889 floors and cabinetry. Look for the gazebo near the pharmacy for giveaway.
Lexington- Activities on Main Street in downtown Lexington. Experience unique restaurants, discover exquisite boutiques, taste craft beer, enjoy live music, selection of vendors, food trucks, family activities and photo opps. Take a drive down Memory Lane, get a picture with the Lexington neon sign, visit Patton Cabin - the oldest building in McLean County and the nationally recognized VanDolah Castle. Giveaway will be available at Lexington Community Center.
Normal- Stop at Ryburn Place at Sprague's Super Service, 305 Pine St., to pick up giveaway. This 1930s gas station, garage, and café, with living quarters above, is a restored Tudor- style building, with a photo op at the replica
gas pumps.
Bloomington- 200 N. Main St., Bloomington: Visit Downtown Bloomington for live music, food trucks/vendors, car show, and commemorative giveaway. Bloomington's giveaway will be available on Sunday at Ryburn Place in Normal. While in town, visit our unique restaurants and craft beer scene, as well as experience area Route 66 attractions, including Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitor Center. Find additional information about these activities and hotel options at VisitBN.org or call (800) 433-8226.