Saturday May 3rd & Sunday May 4th, 2025
Joliet- The Joliet Area Historical Museum: Free Admission all day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday. Sunday Normal business hours 10:00 am to 5:00pm
The Old Joliet Prison: Take a self-guided tour for $22.00 Saturday: The Welcome Center and Prison open will open from 8:00 -5:00pm. Sunday: Normal business hours 10:00am-5:00pm. Commemorative giveaway both days while supplies last.
Elwood- Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Corner of Mississippi Ave. and Douglas St, historic information. Antique Tractor Exhibit Douglas Street Wayside Exhibits featuring Rosie the Riveter, a statue of a munition worker, lunchbox in hand, the original Route 66 pavement and commemorative giveaway (While supplies last). Craft Fair 8am-noon Saturday only. More Information contact: Elwood Village Hall 815-423-5011 mail to: parks@villageofelwood.com
Wilmington- Saturday: get your giveaway at Chamber tent downtown near 220 N. Water St. Flea market 9:00am - 3:00pm. Food vendors, Route 66 Band from 11:00am-3:00pm and split the pot button raffle at the tent. Sunday: stop at the Visitor's Center next to the Gemini Giant, 110 S. Park St. for the giveaway. From noon-6:00pm there will be live music, local art show, food trucks, wine & beer, kids games, raffles and more. Info: 815-476-5991
Braidwood- Visit the Braidwood Lions Club's information booth across from the Polk-A-Dot at the Rt66 Welcome Park to pick up the commemorative give-away (while supplies last). Check out the unique Braidwood "Zoo" with metal animal sculpture from late artist Jack Barker. Browse through all the vendors which will be set up next to the Zoo and the Polk-A-Dot. Stop by the Braidwood Historical Museum on Main St. to see their Route 66 exhibits. Car show and music at the Polk-A-Dot along with photo-ops next to Elvis, Superman, Berry Boop, The Blues Brothers & others. Info: 815-791-8093 or email: jbolatto@braidwood.us
Godley- Visit the Route 66 Mining Museum for giveaway on Saturday. There will be a Toys for Tots drive on Saturday. On Sunday the giveaway can be found at The Stumble Inn. For info contact 815-458-2222 or 815-405-1906. Museum open Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday, 9 to noon.
Braceville- Stop at the Village Hall at the corner of S. Mitchell and Rt. 53. Baked goods will be sold by the United Methodist Church, Junk-in-the-Trunk sale in the parking lot, lunch Saturday and Sunday at the Wicked Cricket on Rt. 53. For more information call 815-237-8655.
Gardner - Meet & Greet with the Mayor at the Two-Cell Jail where you can pick up this year's giveaway. Other Saturday & Sunday activities Include: Gardner Archives open in the Village Hall. The Gardner Lions Club at The Street Car Diner serving root beer floats and pork chop sandwiches from 10:00 til gone. Stop at The Shop to enter a free drawing for a free Route 66 collectable. Cici & Lala's sidewalk sale on Depot Street.
Craft show hosted by Creative Gems 9:00-3:00pm.
Saturday only events on Depot St. Scapegoats car show in the parking lot 10;00-4:00pm. At the gazebo, Elvis tribute artist Hugo Collins will perform. Church of Hope rock-a-thon 10:00-1:00pm.
Sunday only events on Depot Street tractor show at the parking lot 10:00-4;00pm. Info: 815-237-2592
Get your KICKS on Route 66!
The Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival is a two-day event on the most famous two-lane highway in America. This 100-mile self-guided tour has been expanded to include activities from Joliet to Bloomington!
Join us for some nostalgic fun for the whole family. Each community will produce their own festival.
As an added bonus to our commemorative give-away this year, we would like to thank the
Route 66 Scenic Byway for this extra give-away promotion.
Download the Illinois Route 66 Scenic byway mobile app by searching "Explore Illinois Route 66" in the App Store or on Google Play. Click on "Passports" to participate by entering the CODE available at each location. Check in via the mobile app at all 15 locations and you will be entered to win a prize package worth over $225.
Dwight- Friday-Sunday-All town garage sales.
Saturday- D-Town Throwdown, backyard burger competition & Springfest vendor fair 9-5 at VFW. Dwight Historical Society Museum open in the Historic Depot. The Historic Texaco station will be open Sat. & Sun. from 10-2 where you will find the commemorative giveaway.
Odell- Historic 1932 Standard Oil Gas Station on Rt. 66, Historic subway, souvenirs, soda, nostalgia for sale. Stop in KING'S CROSSING, 210 Tremont St. for lunch. More info: 815-998-2133 or email info@odell-il.com
Pontiac- The Greater Livingston County Arts Council is hosting its annual Swinging bridges Arts Festival Saturday May 3rd & Sundy May 4th. The 200 block of West Madison Street and The Eagle Theater will house artists selling handcrafted, fine art pieces. Live music (including local favorite The Riker Maneuver playing 2-5pm Saturday), art demonstrations, entertainment, and food trucks. Museum open both days 9:00am - 5:00pm free admission. Pontiac giveaways will be at 209 W. Madison.
Chenoa- Stop in Chenoa, the Crossroads of Opportunity, located at Route 66 and Route 24. The Texaco Star is an original gas station location. Weave through town and pass the Matthew T. Scott House listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shop at the all town garage sales and a big vendor event: Chenoa superior shopping event!. Giveaway will be at an intersection of two historic alignments: Redbird Park & 205 S Morehead Dr.
Lexington- Lexington's activities will be located on Main St. downtown Lexington. Main St. will play host to Bourbon, Beer & BBQ, local car clubs, and vendors geared towards the bourbon, beer, BBQ and car enthusiasts as well as fee market and craft show vendors. Main St will also feature unique activities such as an axe throwing trailer, cigar lounge and local BBQ contest. While in Lexington, enjoy the unique restaurant scene, discover the exquisite boutique shopping, taste some of
Towanda - Visit the Towanda American Legion, 207 Hely St. for the commemorative giveaway. The Legion will have sales to help support upgrades to their facility. The Village of Towanda and surrounding communities, Lamplighter and Indian Creek, will have area wide garage sales. Visit the Route 66 Trail to say hello to the volunteers especially Mr. Walker who has some amazing information regarding the history of Route 66.
Normal- Stop at Ryburn Place at Sprague's Super Service, 305 Pine St., for a photo op in front of the replica gas pumps. This 1930s gas station is a restored Tudor- style building. Pick up the giveaway for Normal here both days. Enjoy Uptown Normal's restaurants, Children's Discovery Museum and shopping just minutes away.
VisitBN.org for more infor.800-433-8226
Bloomington- The McLean County Museum of History will be open Saturday and Sunday as the commemorative giveaway location. There will be a Farmer's Market, May Day downtown festival, and car show taking place. BN Artists will have their Artist's Passport and Art Trail on Route 66 flags to welcome guests passing through Bloomington-Normal. Visit Downtown Bloomington and enjoy a Saturday on the Square-Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival concert.
visitbn.org / 800-433-8226