A Route 66 centennial kickoff event is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Needles, California. If you are passionate about Route 66, are a fan of road trips, or just enjoy a good old-fashioned adventure, set this date aside and start making plans.
And as the Route 66 Info Fair is also a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary this event promises to be epic. What better place to celebrate the American semiquincentennial than on iconic Route 66, the Main Street of America?
The event will be held at the historic El Garces Hotel complex on the square. Travelers, car clubs, authors, and Route 66 enthusiasts will gather for a day filled with history, good food, warm weather, and plenty of fun under the desert sun.
A Route 66 Storyteller on the Road Again
I’ll be there doing what we do best at Jim Hinckley’s America – sharing America’s story and telling people where to go. With visitor guides and brochures provided by businesses, Route 66 communities, and museums, I will be able to help plan a Route 66 odyssey tailored for them. So, whether you’re dreaming of driving from Chicago to Santa Monica or just exploring a stretch of the old highway in the southwest, I’ll have the resources to help you plan that trip.
I’ll also be giving a presentation on the origins and evolution of Route 66 in the Southwest and the Mojave Desert. From Louis Chevrolet racing across the desert to a summer jaunt by Edsel Ford, and adventures in the family station wagon, this promises to be a smile inducing program.
A route 66 CENTENNIAL kickoff
This will also be a personal Route 66 centennial kickoff. The Route 66 Info Fair will be the first event of the year where fans and readers can pick up a signed copy my 23rd book, Route 66: 100 Years.
This special collaborative anthology was written with Rhys Martin, Cheryl Eichar Jett, Joe Sonderman, Greg Hasman, and Dries Bessels. Six good friends who are passionate about the Route 66 story.
The book begins with the prehistory of the storied highway. It then chronicles the evolution of Route 66 from highway to icon, and provides a glimpse of the roads future. It’s the story of America as made manifest by the people, and the stories that continue to inspire millions around the world.
Discover Needles, California — The Desert Gateway to Route 66
Set along the shimmering banks of the Colorado River, Needles is one of the tarnished relics on Route 66. But a renaissance is dawning, and the Route 66 Info Fair is an ideal time to experience the infectious enthusiasm that is transforming the town.
- El Garces Hotel: Built in 1908 as one of Fred Harvey’s elegant Harvey House hotels, this Mission Revival masterpiece is a gem in the desert. Once a desert oasis for Santa Fe Railway passengers, it now serves as a community and event center. It is a perfect venue for an epic centennial and semiquincentennial celebration.
- Needles Regional Museum: Located in the heart of the historic business district across from the El Garces, this charming museum showcases everything from Native American artifacts and railroad history to Route 66 memorabilia. It’s a must-see for anyone exploring the area. And you can arrange for a tour of the El Garces at the museum.
- Wagon Wheel Restaurant: A local landmark that’s been serving hungry travelers for decades. Known for hearty breakfasts, Bob Waldmire designed menus, friendly faces, and that classic Route 66 charm.
- Smash Burger: For those looking for a blending of classic and tradition, modern and quirky, Smash Burger is a fresh, contemporary dining experience.
- Nearby Attractions: Since your in the neighborhood, be sure to add a drive along 66 from the Colorado River Valley through the Black Mountains and Oatman when attending the big event in Needles. This is the most beautiful segment of Route 66, in my humble opinion. I don’t think that a one eyed blind man can take a bad photo on this stretch of old Route 66.
Coffee With Jim — Mayor Janet Jernigan Joins the Conversation
Be sure to tune in to the November 9th, 2025 episode of my Coffee With Jim podcast on Podbean. Our guest will be Mayor Janet Jernigan, the driving force behind this exciting event. We’ll be talking about Needles’ role in Route 66 history, the El Garces, and the city’s plans for the centennial celebrations.
If you miss the live stream program,no problem. We have a dedicated program website on Podbean, and an embedded player on the Jim Hinckley’s America and Kingman Tours website. Published episodes are also on Spotify, Apple, and most major podcast platforms.
Previous episodes of Coffee With Jim have featured a host of diverse guest, including:
- Rhys Martin, Oklahoma Route 66 Association
- Liz Vincent, Pontiac Tourism, Illinois
- Austin Coop, Two Lane America owner and guide
- Vickie Ashcraft, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, and president of the Route 66 Association of New Mexico
- Gary Sosniecki, Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Historic Society
Each conversation is a celebration of the Ameican story, and the great American road trip.
I should note a winter project. We will be working to turn the Jim Hinckley’s America YouTube channel into a virtual road trip portal. There, you’ll find Route 66 travel inspiration, behind-the-scenes history, and video features that bring America’s backroads to life.
Thanks to Our Sponsors and Supporters
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and patrons who help keep the wheels turning:
- Two Lane America
- Wagon Wheel Motel – Cuba, Missouri
- Cactus Inn Motel – McLean, Texas
- Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park – Albuquerque, New Mexico
- RouteTrip USA
- Deana Nelson, State Farm INsurance, Kingman, Arizona
- Roadrunner Lodge Motel – Tucumcari, New Mexico
- Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours
And of course, a heartfelt thank-you to our Patreon community Your ongoing support helps fund podcasts, videos, and storytelling projects that share America’s story one mile at a time.
Join the Jim Hinckley’s America Community
At Jim Hinckley’s America, we’re more than a travel network. We are a community built around history, road trips, and the people who make America special.
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Let’s make the centennial celebration a shared adventure. Pack your curiosity. Find some road trip inspriation on Coffee With Jim. And then meet us in Needles this February. Together, we’ll celebrate a century of America’s favorite highway. And we will celebrate 2590 years of American diversity.
Jim Hinckley’s America. Sharing America’s story and inspiring road trips by telling people where to go. It’s what we do.
Come share the adventure!
Thank you. Shared adventures are the best adventures.