Centennial and semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026 provide nearly unlimited opportunities for communities along Route 66 to develop marketing campaigns. But it is the potential for tourism based economic development that really piques the imagination. After all, billed as the Main Street of America, Route 66 is ideally suited for celebrations of the country’s 250th anniversary alongside the highways centennial.

Semiquincentennial Celebrations

The Route 66 centennial is creating quite a buzz. Even in communities that are just starting to awaken to the possibilities there is a palpable sense of excitment.

But, for those that remember bicentennial celebrations, it is rather surprising that there hasn’t been more excitement about the semiquincentennial. That, however is about to change.

Just one example is America250. This project is described as, “a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country. This multi-year effort, from now through July 4, 2026, is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.”

With the recent announcement that former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, and first ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush will serve as honorary national co-chairs of America250, we will be hearing quite a bit about the semiquincentennial in coming months. Now we need to find a way to link these celebrations with Route 66.

Unleash The Imagination

With that thought in mind, we are launching a new series on Coffee With Jim, the podcast from Jim Hinckley’s America. Our regular weekly programs with inspiring and fascinating guests such as Rhys Martin of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association will continue. But on the first programof each month there will be a special guest for the livestream program – you.

We want to create a forum for the sharing of ideas, and for developing a newtork of cooperative partnerships. This seems an ideal way to help unleash the imagination, and to foster development of a sense of community.

So, if you have a business on Route 66, are a tourism director, or are a community organizer, we would like to have you as a dedicated guest for the regular programs. Likewise with authors, artsts, and photographers. And we would like to have your input on the monthly program when we talk with road trip and Route 66 enthusiasts as well as organizers with an idea.

Meanwhile

Meanwhile, please keep me posted about upcoming events. If you are the event organizer, we would like to have you as a guest on the podcast. And I can use the Jim HInckley’s America network to help promote the event. I can also add it to the event section of the Route 66 Navigation app.

And if you have ideas on how we can use these two milestone anniversaries to ensure our ancestors celebrate the bicentennial of Route 66, and the tercentenary of the United States, drop a note in the comments section.