Route 66 Road Fest to Celebrate Heritage, History of Historic Route 66

The “Mother of All Road Fests” will be rolling into Oklahoma this June. Dubbed the Route 66 Road Fest, this celebration of America’s Mother Road, aka, Route 66, will be making a stop in Oklahoma City and Tulsa June 18-19 and June 25-26, respectively.

With the coming 100-year-anniversary of Route 66, the American Automobile Association (AAA) will be starting the celebration early with two weekends to celebrate America’s rich history and give motorists the opportunity to experience Route 66 like never before.

Route 66 was commissioned in 1926 and fully paved by the late 1930s, running from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California, creating connections between hundreds of small towns and providing a trucking route through the Southwest

As Oklahoma boasts more than 400 miles of Route 66 – more than any other state, the Sooner State is the longest leg on the journey for those wishing to enjoy Route 66 from behind the wheel of their car, with a mix of historic and modern experiences along the way.

Both Route 66 Road Fest celebrations in Oklahoma City will include vintage cars, local and regional music, local vendors booths, and activities for the whole family, with the opportunity for motorists to encounter all the exceptional towns, attractions, roadside oddities, and activities that the Mother Road has to offer from Quapaw to Texola and all points in-between.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa Route 66 Road Fest celebrations will include a day of exhibits, including a decade-by-decade journey through time that starts with the birth of the Mother Road in the roaring 20s, and travel to the present and future, including robotics, drones, virtual reality, unmanned vehicles and more.

Family-friendly activities and live entertainment also will be part of the occasion, as will card shows and opportunities for car enthusiasts to get together to share their love of all things automobile.

Several ambassadors from Route 66 communities, such as Tanya Andrews, executive director of VisitClaremore, are partnering with AAA Oklahoma to serve as exhibitors during both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Road Fests.

“Claremore and Rogers County tourism partners are planning a week of activities that will be between the 2 Road Fest events – the details of which will be announced soon,” Andrews said.

Other vendors slated for the Tulsa Road Fest are Alcie Duke Pik Zebra independent Consultant, Circle Cinema, City of Tulsa/Route 66 Commission, Craft Body Scan, Damsel in Defense, Davinci Vinyls, Decopolis, Go Dino, Green Creations, Hot N Cheezie, Kasia Lip Balms, Kendall Whittier Main Street, Little Wing Vintage Goods, Mother Road Motorsports, Mythic Chiropractor, Red Dirt Rags, Scentsy, Solid Rock Soap Co. LLC, T-Mobile, The Okie Brand, Usborne Books & More, VisitEdmond, Wilde Deuce Design Co. and more.

The Route 66 Road Fest Classic Car Shows will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds – Bennett Event Center (June 18-19) and at the Tulsa Fairgrounds – SageNet Center at Expo Square (June 25-26).

Cars & Coffee will be the chance for car owners to gather together and enjoy the camaraderie of car aficionados. This casual event will take place outside the gates of the event locations, with spots going fast.

Tickets for these events are $20 for adults, $10 for teens 12-17 and $5 for children 5-11, and free to children four years old and younger.

Tickets for the Tulsa show may be ordered at www.exposquare.com/events/2022/route-66-roadfest-2022-06. Tickets for the Oklahoma City show may be ordered at www.etix.com/ticket/e/1024947/aaa-route-66-road-fest-oklahoma-city-okc-fairgrounds-oklahoma-city

For more information about the
Route 66 Road Fest, visit them online at route66roadfest.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/route66roadfest and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/route66roadfest.

A sampling of upcoming events slated in conjunction with AAA Route 66 Road Fest include:

Thursday Night Cruisers Annual Car Show

When: June 11

Where: 1116 W. HWY 152, Mustang, Oklahoma

Details: TNC Annual Car Show with 35 classes first, second, third place as well as sponsor picks and Best of Show. 50/50 Cash and Prizes! $100 cash giveaway each hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 11, 2022, at 1116 W. HWY 152 in Mustang, OK. Registration 8:30-11 a.m., awards at 2:30. Participant judging. $20 pre-registration, $25 day of show.

Cost: $25

More information: www.Thursdaynightcruisers.org

Vinita Route 66 Festival

When: 5-10 p.m. June 16 through June 18

Where: Downtown Vinita

Details: This three-day event held on the Mother Road kicks off Thursday, June 16, with a carnival that runs through Saturday. Friday night’s Block Party on Route 66 adds food trucks and live entertainment to the festivities held just steps from the building Cyrus Avery used as an office just before statehood. The carnival and food trucks continue Saturday along with a 100+ Car Show, vendors and more live entertainment.

Cost: Free

More information: vinitaroute66festival.com

Rolling Thunder Car Truck & Cycle Show

When: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 26

Where: 900 W. Memorial Road, Oklahoma City

Details: Hosted by Central Oklahoma Pontiac Association and Thunder Roadhouse Cafe, this event will showcase vintage and new cars, trucks, and cycles of all makes and models. Trophies will be awarded in each class, and there will be a 50/50 pot, prize drawings, and live music performed by Straight Shooter.

Cost: $25

More information: www.copa.site

50th Anniversary Pontiac Oakland Club International Convention

When: July 12-16

Where: Hard Rock Casino Tulsa, Catoosa

Details:  Five days of swap meets car shows, and drag races for Pontiac, GMC and Oakland vehicle owners. Attendees must be a POCI member to register for the convention, but non-POCI members may be a swap meet vendor, and be involved in the Pontiac Drag races. July 12-16, 2022. Drag races will be held Friday evening at Tulsa Raceway Park. This special 50th anniversary is hosted by Tulsa-based Pontiac Club, and Indian Nations Pontiac Club. POCI is a worldwide organization promoting the history surrounding the Pontiac automobile. Several bus tours will be offered to Oklahoma attractions, specialty-designed car cruises, and guest speakers to talk about many items pertaining to Pontiac in general. For those entering the convention, there will be a free Welcome Party with four hours from the Tulsa Playboys. Those attending the Thursday banquet will be entertained by Pake McEntire, Reba’s brother, then Saturday night during happy hour before the awards banquet, famed fiddle player Jana Jae will be on hand to perform and sign autographs. Spectators may view all the vehicles for free.

More information: https://www.poci.org/