Anticipated visitors a question mark for unique event 

Visitors frequently pass through the Queen City while getting their kicks on Route 66, but the National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration promises a greater concentration of sojourners and locals alike at events along – and beyond – the Mother Road. 

Springfield is the national host city for the celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of Route 66, securing its claim as the birthplace of the historic route. A telegram that was transmitted to the Bureau of Public Roads in Washington, D.C., from the former downtown Colonial Hotel on April 30, 1926, suggested the name Route 66 for the route. The historic missive was sent by businesspeople John T. Woodruff from Springfield and Cy Avery from Oklahoma. 

The kickoff celebration is set for April 30-May 3. 

Cora Scott, chair of both the Missouri’s Route 66 Centennial Commission and the National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration, noted in a Springfield Business Journal interview that the state has allocated $3 million for Route 66 festivities, and private-sector sponsorship has come from Vital Farms Inc., Bass Pro Shops, Multipli Credit Union, Ozarks First, KY3 and others. 

Asked how many visitors Springfield can anticipate during the weekend celebration, Mark Hecquet, president and CEO of Visit Springfield, Missouri, said it’s impossible to predict. 

“At this time, we do not have an attendance or economic impact estimate for the kickoff events,” he said. “Being a once-in-a-100-year celebration, it is difficult to compare it to a previous event or to model its potential impact with any precision.” 

However, Hecquet said via email yesterday that strong signs of increased visitation are already evident. 

“Our new welcome center has been very busy with visitors today, and we are aware that several hotels are sold out,” he said. “We are also seeing very strong demand around this week’s events.” 

Following the kickoff, Hecquet said, officials will review hotel performance, visitor center traffic and partner feedback. 

One indication of the popularity of weekend events was first reported today by KY3, Springfield’s NBC affiliate, and confirmed by Scott: A live taping of the “Today” show that is planned for the new Birthplace of Route 66 Plaza downtown has amassed the highest number of signups for any of the show’s city visits in its history. The show offers four remote visits per year, Scott said. 

Scott added that some 6,000 people had signed up to attend the taping before a waitlist was activated, but she said the city is prepared for the influx. 

Events include the following: 

Thursday, April 30 

• 8 a.m., Birthplace of Route 66 Plaza, southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and St. Louis Street: “Today” Show Third Hour Live with hosts Al Roker, Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer. Advance registration is required.  

• 4 p.m., southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and St. Louis Street: Dedication of Birthplace of Route 66 Plaza, with a sculpture honoring the Colonial Hotel, the site from which a telegram was sent to name the highway Route 66, plus a 10-foot by 14-foot mosaic map of Route 66 and an information kiosk. The dedication coincides with the exact time the telegram was sent to Washington, D.C., 100 years ago, according to the Centennial Kickoff Celebration website. The project is funded by Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission and Rotary Clubs of Springfield with support from Missouri State University and the city of Springfield. 

• 3:30-11 p.m., Great Southern Bank Arena, 685 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway: Centennial Kickoff Celebration Concert and fanfest. 3:30-7:30 p.m., Kickoff Concert Fanfest, outdoors at arena; 4:30, doors open for concert – tickets required; 5:30-11 p.m., performances by Little Big Town, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Janson, Ozark Mountain Daredevils and The Haygoods. Preshow entertainment by Bentenya, street performers from Nagoya, Japan. 

Friday, May 1 

• 11 a.m., St. Louis Street, just west of Glenstone Avenue: Dedication of Queen’s Gate 66, a 30-foot-high monument in the middle of St. Louis Street, just beside the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven motel. The sculpture, which lights up at night, was funded by the state of Missouri, according to the Centennial Kickoff Celebration website. 

• 4:30-7 p.m., The Old Glass Place, 521 E. St. Louis St.: Official MO State Route 66 Parade Pre Party – tickets required. This all-ages event offers food and entertainment and is sponsored by the Missouri State University Alumni Association. 

• 6 p.m.: Celebrate America on Route 66 Parade. The best viewing areas are along St. Louis Street west of Glenstone Avenue, the Park Central Square area and the grandstand near St. Louis Street and Jefferson Avenue, according to the Centennial Kickoff Celebration website, which encourages spectators to arrive early, starting at 3:30 p.m., to secure a viewing spot. The parade runs from Glenstone Avenue to Campbell Avenue along St. Louis and College streets. 

• 6-9 p.m., Jefferson Avenue Footbridge, 401 E. Commercial St.: Lighting of historic Jefferson Avenue Footbridge – for which renovations are soon to be completed, according to city officials – in honor of the Route 66 centennial and America’s 250th birthday. Events include a classic car rally, live jazz by the Missouri State University Jazz Studies Ensemble and, at 8 p.m., the footbridge lighting and drone show. 

• 7 p.m., Savoy Ballroom, 224 E. Commercial St.: Stars and Stripes on Route 66 – tickets required. Gala event with silent auction, drinks and hors d’oeuvres from C-Street restaurants. 

Saturday, May 2 

• 8 a.m. -7 p.m., historic Commercial Street: Red, White and Bridge Bash, the C-Street celebration of the Route 66 centennial and America’s 250th birthday. At 10 a.m., a rededication of the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge is planned at 401 E. Commercial St. The C-Street City Market runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Footbridge Plaza, with a classic car show from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and live music from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus history presentations at Historic Firehouse No. 2. 

• 7 p.m., Shrine Mosque, 601 E. St. Louis St.: Telegraph Ball – tickets required. This black-tie event features dinner, live music and a live auction. 

Ongoing 

• April 30-May 2, Gillioz Theatre Gallery, 325 Park Central East: Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, sponsored by the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission, with exhibits, artifacts and interactive activities. April 30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., with presentations at 3, 4 and 6 p.m. and music at 5 p.m.; May 1, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; May 2, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 

• History Museum on the Square, 154 Park Central Square: Birthplace of Route 66 exhibit during museum hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. 

• LeDoux’s Furniture & Whatnots, 422 W. Commercial St., Thursday and Friday, 1-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Colonial Hotel artifact exhibit curated by James Roderique.