It is going to be a most exciting year all along Route 66. Lets start with the big event, the Route 66 International Festival in Kingman scheduled for the weekend of August 16.
I am painfully aware of the delays and frustrations that have resulted from spotty information. That is about to change in a very big way.
First, for vendors, the website Mohave Promotions has the forms as well as information you need. This is shaping up to be a major event so I suggest registering soon.
Next, for participation in the authors, artist, and collectors exhibition, or to have a display in the exhibition hall as a representative from a chamber of commerce or Route 66 association, you will need to contact the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce. This will also be your primary contact for general information.
Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce
120 W. Route 66
Kingman, AZ 86402
928-753-6253
Yesterday, I had a rather lengthy conversation with Kathleen Smith of the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce. The city is working on a major event to be held the weekend before the festival in Kingman to ensure visitors have reason to spend a full, fun filled week on the double six in Arizona. Details will be available soon. Meanwhile, before any of this takes place there are some pretty big events taking place on Route 66. Adding any of these to your travel plans would greatly enhance the adventure.
In Illinois you have the Route 66 Red Carpet Tour. On the western end of Route 66 on the same weekend you have the annual Route 66 Fun Run.
Several years ago my dearest friend and I were given a new reason to enjoy the Fun Run in the form of a tour group from the land down under hosted by Dale and Kristi-Anne Butel. I am quite honored to have another opportunity to speak before this years tour and am quite excited about seeing our old friends again.Then, in June the spotlight will shift to Tucumcari. Rockabilly on the Route is a relatively new event that has morphed into a major international festival that promises a very full weekend of memorable entertainment. Unfortunately schedule conflictions will prohibit our attendance this year.
For my dearest friend and I, an event that we are really looking forward to is Cuba Fest in Cuba, Missouri. Scheduled for the third weekend in October, this rates quite high on our list of favorite events.
It remains a simple, small town event worthy of Norman Rockwell in spite of its popularity. Needless to say, such an event fits us rather well.
A great source for general Route 66 information, as well as an expansive calendar of events all along the double six is Route 66 News. Kudos to Ron Warnick for this endeavor.
The next and last item has to do with new books. Of course this also involves a bit of old fashioned shameless self promotion.
First, acclaimed author and collector Joe Sonderman (he will be attending the festival in Kingman) has teamed up with Chery Eichar Jett, who will also be attending the festival, to produce Route 66 in Illinois. Signed copies of this and other Route 66 titles by Joe Sonderman are available on his fascinating website.
For a number of years folks told me that I should write a travel guide to Route 66 and share a few of my favorite “secret” places. Well, I listened and the result is my latest book, Travel Route 66: A Guide to the History, Sights, and Destinations Along the Main Street of America.
I am a bit humbled by the initial status rankings by Amazon.com. When it comes to telling folks where to go, it appears as though a number of folks trust me for good advice.
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) .zg_hrsr { margin: 0; padding: 0; list-style-type: none; } .zg_hrsr_item { margin: 0 0 0 20px; } .zg_hrsr_rank { display: inline-block; width: 50px; text-align: right; }
- #6 in Books > Travel > United States > Central
- #8 in Books > Travel > United States > South > West South Central
- #17 in Books > Travel > United States > West > General
Thank you for the information on this great event happening here in Kingma, Az. Looking forward to what all it has to bring!