Building a sense of community with Route 66 centennial tourism as a catalyst is not as difficult as it sounds. Several communities have found what works, and what doesn’t, and they are eager to share what has been learned. In their success two key points are illustrated.

First, to borrow some words of wisdom from Bill Thomas of The Route 66 Centennial Commission, not all economic development is tourism, but all tourism is economic development.

Second, if a community is transformed into a destination for visitors, it becomes a place want to live, to retire, to raise a family and to open a business.

The Route 66 Centennial Commission

The Route 66 Centennial Commission should be a first step for both inspiration, ideas, and assistance.

This is the latest press release from the commission.

May 19, 2025 

Six cities along Route 66 will gain Official Satellite status for the Centennial Kick-Off

Cities along Route 66 are being asked to submit proposals to participate in the official Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026.

The Road Ahead Partnership will choose six Official Satellite Cities for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, starting with a live, online media event combined with celebrations in Springfield, Missouri, the Official Host City.

Bill Thomas, Chairman of The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, said, “Only six cities will be selected as Official Satellite Cities of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, providing each with an exclusive opportunity to promote itself and attract visitors to its own Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off events and activities.”

The virtual Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off will feature a Centennial Kick-Off concert with A-list entertainment in Springfield, MO, a two-hour simulcast coverage of the Kick-Off live-streamed worldwide and cut-ins during the simulcast event from each Official Satellite City.

Plans are also underway to recruit a major online national streaming service to record the simulcast and broadcast a one-hour version per its platform.

Designation as an Official Satellite City of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off is available for a $50,000 sponsorship to The Road Ahead Partnership. “If needed, The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership will collaborate with the Satellite City to raise the required $50,000 sponsorship for Official Satellite City designation,” said Bill. “But preference will be given to cities able to provide this sponsorship in full.

“Each selected Satellite City is responsible for raising all funds needed to implement on-the-ground activities it plans in conjunction with the virtual Kick-Off.”

A complete list of sponsorship benefits, including recognition on the Route 66 Centennial website and in all publicity for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off event, and proposal criteria can be downloaded here.

To be considered for this unique opportunity, interested cities must submit proposals to Bill Thomas by June 8, 2025. For further information please email Bill Thomas or call (217) 648-5077.

Part One – Building a sense of Community with Route 66 centennial tourism

At Jim Hinckley’s America, we’re known for telling folks where to go. In this series we will be telling people where to go for information about Route 66 tourism and how it can be harnessed.

In this first installment of a special series, we’re heading down the Main Street of America to showcase how some communities are using Route 66, and especially the upcoming centennial, as a powerful catalyst for economic development and community revitalization.

This journey kicks off with shining examples of inspiration from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Pontiac, Illinois, and Kingman, Arizona. These are towns where vision, grit, and a dash of neon have breathed new life into historic business districts and fueled development a strong sense of community.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Lighting the Way with Neon and Pride

Tulsa has emerged as a model for Route 66 community-driven revitalization. With innovative neon sign grants and façade improvement programs, the city has embraced its Route 66 legacy. But these initiatives are more than a nostalgic nod to the past. They are visionary forward-thinking economic engines.

Another example of Tulsa’s leadership role is the annual AAA Route 66 Road Fest. Organized by Wade Bray (our guest on the May 23, 2025, episode of Coffee With Jim), this event has become a focal point for Route 66 enthusiasts drawing thousands of visitors annually.

Coupled with the innovative Savvy Traveler program, which engages locals in sharing the Route 66 experience, Tulsa’s efforts have rekindled pride and purpose in the community. The Savvy Traveler program is, …”a new initiative designed to equip Tulsans with the tools to share the city’s story with warmth, authenticity, and confidence. The program is aimed at encouraging locals to serve as tourism ambassadors for both visitors and new residents.”

A special nod goes to Rhys and Samantha Martin whose advocacy, ambition and infectious enthusiasm have helped galvanize local engagement and preserve the city’s Route 66 assets. Together they are carrying the torch into the centennial and beyond.

President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, and owner of Cloudless Lens Photography, Rhys is a passionate spokesman for the Route 66 community. He is also the Preserve Route 66 Manager for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Two more notes about Rhys. He is a contributor to my next book, a Route 66 centennial anthology due for release this fall. He will also be the keynote speaker at this years Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Joliet, Illinois.

Working with the city, with organizers of Route 66 Road Fest, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, and other organization, his wife Samantha has contributed greatly to projects developed to revitalize the Route 66 corridor in Tulsa. In addition she creates educational programs that will ensure when the time comes, the torch can be pased to the next generation.

Pontiac, Illinois: Murals, Museums, and a Movement

Pontiac, Illinois, is a testament to what a small town with big ideas can achieve. Under the spirited leadership of Liz Vincent, former Mayor Bob Russell, and other community leaders as well as visionary business leaders, Pontiac rose like the mythical Phoenix from the ashes of economic devestation.

Apathy was transformed into a vibrant sense of community. Despair was replaced with excitement about the future. And as a result this once quiet Midwest farming town facing an uncertain future is now a bustling Route 66 destination.

A milestone in the town’s renaissance was the Walldog mural marathon. This was an event that added vibrant public art to the historic heart of Pontiac. But is was also key in the building a sense of community. When the call went out to provide lodging for the artists, the people resonded.

Momentum for the renaissance surged with the establishment of the Pontiac-Oakland Museum and Research Center and the relocation of the late Bob Waldmire’s iconic school bus and artworks. Add to that the Lipton Tea commercial nation wide campaign launch, the signature Pontiac mural being featured in a National Geographic calendar, and the creation of the Society of Gilders Museum, and you have a full-blown diverse cultural destination. And you have a community that is known throughout the world even though the population is less than 15,000 people.

Economic results speak volumes. The opening of Wally’s, a retro-modern mega gas station experience, and a new Hampton Inn near the historic core are just two signs of how harnessing Route 66 tourism is paying off.

These developments were driven not by top-down planning but by community consensus and pride in local heritage. Would you like to learn more about this success story? Contact Liz Vincent at the City of Pontiac.

Kingman, Arizona: The Comeback Kid of Route 66

Kingman’s renaissance is another chapter in the Route 66 revival story. But it is one that has taken years to write.

Thanks to the tireless work of Route 66 Association of Kingman and Kingman Main Street volunteers, and the city’s investment in the award-winning Beale Street infrastructure improvement project that has added jet fuel to the historic district renaissance, this dusty desert crossroads is becoming a destination.

Strategic efforts like the Kingman Tours self-guided walking tour—developed by Kingman Main Street, the City of Kingman, and Talisman Magic Marketing—blend storytelling with technology, making history and public art accessible as well as engaging.

Public art adds soul to the stroll, including a stunning sculpture of author, humorist and historian Jim Hinckley by internationally acclaimed artist J. Anne Butler that stands at Depot Plaza. And events such as First Friday and Chillin’ on Beale bring thousands of people together in the heart of the city, strengthening community ties and stimulating local business.

However, challenges remain. Hosting flagship events like the annual Route 66 Fest at Lewis Kingman Park—several miles from the historic business district—does little to bolster the concentrated revitalization efforts downtown. Such decisions divert visitors from the core of investment and activity, slowing long-term growth.

The 2014 International Route 66 Festival, and Crossroads of the Past and Future Conference that is still available on YouTube are relevant. They prove the power of strategic event placement, of tapping into the international Route 66 community, and providing a glimpse of the future to overcome community apathy. These lessons shouldn’t be forgotten as we approach and plan for the centennial.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Engagement

Route 66 tourism isn’t just about photo ops and souvenirs. It’s about fostering a sense of purpose, pride, and partnership.

Events like the 2025 New Mexico Governor’s Hospitality and Tourism Conference, the AAA Route 66 Road Fest, and the Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference offer incredible opportunities for communities to network, share resources, and cultivate innovative ideas for sustainable tourism and heritage preservation. We encourage our readers and listeners to engage, attend, and support these events—and in doing so, support the international Route 66 community.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors who help us keep the wheels turning at Jim Hinckley’s America: Two Lane America, Wagon Wheel Motel (Cuba, Missouri), Cactus Inn Motel (McLean, Texas), Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park (Albuquerque, New Mexico), RouteTrip USA, Roadrunner Lodge Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico), and Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours. We’re also deeply grateful to our patrons on Patreon—your support allows us to share America’s story and inspire road trips, one tale at a time.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where we’ll dive into how Route 66-inspired tourism can spark youth engagement, entrepreneurial opportunity, and a renewed sense of place in small-town America.