The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival kicks off Thursday. Here's what you need to know.
Springfield's 10th annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival kicks off Thursday, after being canceled for the last two years. The festival — which includes a car and truck show, parade, live music and more — runs through Saturday.
The Route 66 festival is hosted along the Route 66 Motor Mile. This mile-long stretch is from the Route 66 Springfield Visitor Center at 815 E. St. Louis St., west through Park Central Square to South Campbell Avenue. Parts of the festival will also take place from East McDaniel Street to East Trafficway Street on South Kimbrough Avenue and from East Walnut Street to the square on South Avenue.
City of Springfield director of public information and civic engagement Cora Scott said it's hard to gauge an expected turnout for the festival since it's been a few years since it was last held. In 2019, 65,000 people attended.
Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with the Rockin' the Route Kickoff Street Party in Motorcycle Village, located at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and St. Louis Street. Blues rock and roll band Static in the Attic of Springopens for cover band Emerald City Band of Dallas at 8 p.m. The concerts are free.
Motorcycle Village
In addition to an array of live music to be held in Motorcycle Village throughout the weekend, the Combat Motorcycle Veterans Association Gypsy Poker Run/Bike Show is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Hundreds of motorcycles and thousands of riders are expected to attend. Bike show and poker run registration is open at route66festivalsgf.com/motorcycles/.
Park Central Square
The Red Shoe Pickers will open the Chevy Dealers of the Ozarks Entertainment Stage at Park Central Square at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Live music will continue throughout the weekend.
The festival's car show begins at Park Central Square. The car show is open noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Online registration is open at route66festivalsgf.com/car-show/.
Park Central Square will also house local artists, Vendor Village and the beer garden.
History Museum on the Square
Those wishing to learn about the history of eateries along Route 66 can visit the History Museum on the Square's latest exhibit, "Order Up! The Restaurants of Route 66."
The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $16 for adults, $13 for seniors, military and seniors, $10 for children ages 4-12, and free for children under 3. The museum is located at 154 Park Central Square.
Glenda Pike Route 66 Exhibit Hall
The Glenda Pike Route 66 Exhibit Hall is located in the Old Glass Place at 501 E. St. Louis St. The exhibit will include a variety of authors, art, collectors and associations affiliated with Route 66.
The exhibit is open noon to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Shrine Mosque
The Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, located at 601 E. St. Louis St., will host the Women's World Expo Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 50 vendors will be available at the free event.
Discovery Center
For younger guests, the Discovery Center of Springfield, located at 438 E. St. Louis St., is hosting the SGF Kids Food Festival on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees may sample a variety of local eateries.
Tickets, which include food drinks and Discovery Center admission, are $10 for member adults, $5 for member kids, $15 for non-member adults and $10 for non-member kids.
Birthplace of Route 66 Parade
The annual Birthplace of Route 66 Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Friday. It begins at the intersection of Grant Avenue and College Street, travels east on College Street through Park Central Square, continues east on St. Louis Street and ends at National Avenue.
The parade will feature 700 classic cars, trucks, floats and performers.
A full schedule of festival events is available at route66festivalsgf.com/schedule/.
More: Route 66 documentary explores women's discrimination, segregation along the Mother Road
Win a 1932 Ford Coupe
The Mother Roadster Foundation is giving away its fourth custom-built car at this year's festival. The 1932 Ford Coupe was built by Show Me Rod and Custom & Curry's Hot Rod.
Entry tickets are available on the Mother Roadster Foundation website at motherroadsterfoundation.com/online-store; 1-100 tickets can be purchased, ranging from $20-1,000. Ticket sales benefit Shriners Hospital for Children.
The winner will be announced Saturday at the festival and via Facebook Live on the Mother Roadster Foundation Facebook. Ticket holders do not have to be present at the festival to win.
Where can I park?
Free and paid parking lots are available throughout downtown Springfield. For a full list of downtown parking lots and garages, visit itsalldowntown.com/getting-around/.
Downtown Springfield road closures
Folks can expect road closures to begin Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, starting at 4 a.m.:
East St. Louis Street between South Jefferson Avenue and South Kimbrough Avenue
East Olive Street between North Jefferson Avenue and East St. Louis Street
Thursday, starting at 4 a.m.:
East St. Louis Street between South Campbell Avenue and South Kimbrough Avenue
Park Central Square and spokes
South Patton Avenue between Olive Street and Park Central West
Robberson Avenue between West McDaniel Street and West Olive Street
South Jefferson Avenue between East Water Street and East McDaniel Street
East Olive Street between North Jefferson Avenue and East St. Louis Street
Friday, starting at 4 a.m.:
East St. Louis Street between South Campbell Avenue and South Kimbrough Avenue
Park Central Square and spokes
South Patton Avenue between Olive Street and Park Central West
Robberson Avenue between West McDaniel Street and West Olive Street
South Jefferson Avenue between East Water Street and East McDaniel Street
East Olive Street between North Jefferson Avenue and East St. Louis Street
Friday, starting at 4 p.m.:
South Kimbrough Avenue between East McDaniel Street and East Trafficway Street
Saturday, starting at 4 a.m.:
East St. Louis Street between South Campbell Avenue and South Kimbrough Avenue
Park Central Square and spokes
South Patton Avenue between Olive Street and Park Central West
Robberson Avenue between West McDaniel Street and West Olive Street
South Jefferson Avenue between East Water Street and East McDaniel Street
East Olive Street between North Jefferson Avenue and East St. Louis Street
South Kimbrough Avenue between East McDaniel Street and East Trafficway Street
McDaniel Street between Patton Avenue and Robberson Avenue
South Avenue between McDaniel Street and Walnut Street
Friday's parade will temporarily close a few additional streets:
Nettleton Avenue from Olive Street to College Street, barricades placed by 1 p.m.
Fort Avenue from Water Street to College Street, barricades placed by 1 p.m.
East St. Louis Street from South Jefferson Avenue to the Springfield Expo Center at 635 E. St Louis St., barricades placed by 1 p.m.
Grant Avenue between West Tampa Street and West Walnut Street closes at 5:30 p.m. and will reopen after the parade
South Kimbrough Avenue from East Trafficway Street to East McDaniel Street closes a 5 p.m. and reopens Sunday
College Street from West Avenue to Grant Avenue will be a no-parking zone on Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Springfield Police Department will tow vehicles parked in this zone.
All roads will reopen by 7 a.m. Sunday.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield's 10th annual Route 66 Festival kicks off Thursday
