‘Today’ airs live from Springfield’s Route 66

In an off moment in taping the Third Hour of “Today” from the newly completed Birthplace Plaza, host Al Roker made a big pronouncement.

“I love Springfield!” he shouted to the hundreds of locals who had gathered to watch.

“We love you, too, Al!” a booming male voice hollered in reply, to cheers and applause from the crowd.

Roker was there with his Third Hour co-hosts, NBC’s Dylan Dreyer and Laura Jarrett, on the occasion of the Route 66 centennial. Springfield is the epicenter of the national celebration as the city where the historic route received its name.

All of the hosts spent time between segments shaking hands, posing for photos and signing posters for audience members.

The live show was the first event in a series planned for the National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration, and preparations started early.

Some members of the public reported arriving as early as 3 a.m. to secure a good spot for the live taping.

The mother-daughter team of Amy and Rachel Harter were among the early birds, mom Amy coming from Strafford and Rachel coming from Rogersville. The two work for property management firm Leonard Properties LLC.

Amy said she was a lifelong watcher of “Today.”

“It’s really amazing to see Al Roker in person,” she said, adding that the early rise-and-shine was “so worth it.”

Key to the route
During the live segment, Gov. Mike Kehoe made an appearance, presenting the cast with what he called the official key to Route 66 on behalf of the state of Missouri.

“This unlocks a lot – it unlocks your heart to the greatest town in Missouri,” he said.

The hosts showed a prerecorded feature with highlights of their Springfield sojourn, which Roker referred to as an epic road trip.

The video began at the restored Rockwood Motor Court tourist lodges and hit Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, the newly christened Springfield Cardinals’ Route 66 Stadium and the Route 66 Steak ’n Shake, which has been at the corner of National Avenue and St. Louis Street since 1962.

In an interview with Springfield Business Journal prior to the show, Mayor Jeff Schrag echoed that sentiment.

“This is kind of a big deal,” Schrag said. “What an honor for people to see the true goodness of Springfield.”

Schrag said he was always happy to see hometown pride, and he noted that people seem to be delighted by all of the coverage and the positive feedback the city has received.

“The best opportunity in something like this is within – for people to be able to tell their relatives and friends, ‘Did you catch us on TV?’” he said.

Schrag added that events like the “Today” show visit connect humans, locally and across the country.

“At the end of the day, Route 66 is all about connecting people,” he said.

Country jam
Country music star Chris Janson, a Missourian from the city of Perryville, played his hit “Me & a Beer Can,” and city and state dignitaries gathered on stage to dance along. Near the center, Cora Scott, chair of the national kickoff planning committee and the person with a pivotal role in bringing national attention to the birthplace of Route 66, was all smiles.

Janson told SBJ he was enjoying his return to the state and his visit to the Queen City.

Asked his thoughts about Springfield, he said, “Are you kidding me? It’s – other than my hometown – probably the best town in the state.”

Janson said he was looking forward to representing the state in the Route 66 Kickoff Concert tonight as one of the few Missourians on the bill, along with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

In his off time, though, he said he enjoys exploring Springfield.

“I’ve had tons of fun here,” he said. “I’m a Bass Pro man, and this is the home of it – the home of Route 66, really. We’ve had tons of fun, and everyone is so nice and historically has always been so good to me here.”

Dishing on Springfield
Some Springfield businesses had a chance to shine in a cooking segment.

Featured were Calvin Davis, the James Beard-nominated chef from The Order at Hotel Vandivort; Jennie Boosey, co-owner of Blue Heron Farm & Bakery; Executive Chef Wing Yee Leong, whose father invented Springfield-style cashew chicken at Leong’s Asian Diner; and Chef Tiny, aka Brandon Moore, co-owner of Retro Metro.

Davis gave the hosts a taste of three dishes: grilled asparagus; hot, crispy mushrooms and pan-seared barramundi.

Asked how he felt about the opportunity to present his dishes, Davis replied, “Wonderful – it’s great to be here.”

He also praised his fellow chefs in the lineup.

“There are several good ones,” he said.

Moore said he was excited to be representing Springfield, but also proud of what the TV appearance would mean to his mother.

“Most importantly, Mom gets to see me with Al,” he said. “I was raised on Willard Scott and Al.”

Moore said he was showing off his Fat Tiny Burger.

“I wanted to do a burger because Route 66, burger diners, all that kind of stuff – it’s kind of my dish to pay homage to all the great burger diners that have graced the city,” he said.

Leong said he was astonished by the crowd.

“I turned on my TV at 5:30 and saw the crowd out here – I thought, oh, I’d better get hauling out here,” he said.

Of course, Leong was sharing a look at his restaurant’s most famous dish.

“I’m glad to be able to represent Springfield and my dad’s iconic dish,” he said.

Hosts react
In an interview after the show, Dreyer said Springfieldians were the nicest people in the country.

“It’s really a special place to be,” she said.

Asked to name her favorite Springfield stops, Dreyer had frozen treats on her mind. She cited two.

“Steak ’n Shake was pretty delicious – and Andy’s Frozen Custard,” she said.

Jarrett agreed.

“We’re so full! We had so much dessert,” she said.

Jarrett said she particularly enjoyed Wonders of Wildlife.

“We got to pet the stingrays,” she said. “That was so fun.”