ROUTE 66, USA (May 12, 2026) – The Route 66 Main Street of America Centennial Caravan, organized by the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and other partners, has announced its daily schedule for a summer road trip celebrating 100 years of the world’s most iconic highway, known fondly as the “Mother Road.”

The caravan, made up of representatives from all eight states the highway passes through, will depart Saturday, June 6, from Santa Monica and arrive on June 25 in Chicago. While historically many traveled westward, the organization intentionally chose an eastbound route to maximize community engagement and interaction with travelers along the way.

“Route 66 runs both ways,” said Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and Manager of the Preserve Route 66 Program at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “By heading east and taking nearly three weeks to drive the road, we’ll get to see more people and celebrate the communities that make the highway special.”

In addition to representatives from statewide Route 66 preservation and advocacy organizations, the core group of vehicles will include the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the international community at large, and the public. The event has also been designated as an official Route 66 Centennial activity by the US Route 66 Centennial Commission. Partners include:

• Best Western Hotels & Resortsis along for the ride as the official hotel sponsor of the Route 66 Main Street of America Centennial Caravan, coinciding with the global brand’s 80th anniversary. Founded as a referral-based network of independent hotels, many of which are located along Route 66, Best Western has a long history of welcoming road trip travelers. The brand will donate more than 250 room nights along the route to support the cross-country journey.

• Stuckey’sis generously supplying the caravan with pecan log rolls to share on the road and is planning additional family‑friendly activations at select stops.

• One of the most eye‑catching participants of the convoy will be the giant cow and trailer towed by The Big Texan Steak Ranch of Amarillo, Texas. The Big Texan will host a local grilling event each evening, inviting two challengers to attempt its world‑famous 72‑ounce steak challenge. Participants who finish the steak and all trimmings within an hour eat for free. Media is invited to attend.

“The highway’s centennial is a major event, and our goal is to make sure people know that U.S. Route 66 and its people will still be here long after the birthday candles are blown out, said Martin. “We’re thankful for all of our sponsors. Preservation and economic support are vital to ensuring this avenue of American culture remains authentic and connected as it enters its second century.”

Public and Media Welcome to Join

The public is invited to join this commemorative event, whether by participating in a segment of the drive, waving as the caravan passes by, or welcoming the group at stops throughout communities and roadside attractions. A detailed schedule is available on the Caravan’s website, linked below.

Sign up at www.route66caravan.com for updates and to learn more about the itinerary, which is being developed with support from Route 66 Navigation.

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is proud to reveal the design for their 2026 Centennial t-shirt, featuring artwork from the late Bob Waldmire. Bob was a beloved traveling artist and the inspiration behind Fillmore the Volkswagen bus in Pixar’s Cars films and was an early advocate for Route 66 preservation.

“Bob created a series of drawings in 1989 featuring landmarks along Oklahoma Route 66,” said Association President Rhys Martin. “We felt this would be a wonderful way to acknowledge the road’s history while reminding folks that the journey continues. We’re very grateful to the Waldmire family for allowing us to honor his legacy as we celebrate the road’s 100th anniversary.”

The new design features some artwork never before seen, such as a sketch of downtown Canute that was part of a postcard that was not finished before Bob passed away in 2009. The front of the shirt even has a 100th birthday message…but where did that come from? “When Bob created a new piece of art and wanted to include something he’d already sketched, he would photocopy it, cut it out, and paste it together. With permission from the Waldmire family, we did the exact same thing,” said Martin. The Association’s archives included a sketch Bob had created for the 66th anniversary of Route 66 in 1992; that was combined with a bit of his handwriting to create the number 100. “It’s authentic Bob Waldmire in multiple ways.”

Shirts can be purchased online here and are also available in person at the Association’s booth inside Tulsa’s Meadow Gold Mack store.

In addition to the new shirt, the Association is moving forward with a project to restore the U-Haul truck with Bob’s artwork on the side that they acquired from the auction of Afton Station more than five years ago. Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City is repairing the long-dormant truck as a student project with plans to have it road-ready by the summer. The Association wants to turn it into a mobile information center about Route 66. The upcoming edition of The Chronicles of Oklahoma from the Oklahoma Historical Society will also feature a write-up about Bob Waldmire and his legacy on Route 66.

Route 66 is not just a connection to tourism and economic development, it’s also a connection to the future for young people from around the country.

The nation’s top 4-H and FFA students will put their expertise to the test by evaluating land for farming, range management, and home development. The National Land and Range Judging Contest presents real-world challenges to showcase skills that directly connect to future careers in environmental management, natural resource conservation, agriculture, and construction. An anticipated 1000 4-H and FFA students and over 200 coaches from 37+ states will attend the event and compete.

The official contest site remains a secret until contest day to prevent any unfair advantage. Each year, a different farm, ranch, company, organization, or agency hosts the contest site on its land near the Oklahoma City metro area. While practice site locations are known in advance, the national competition site is revealed the morning of May 7.

“The El Reno Convention and Visitors Bureau are proud to support the National Land and Range Judging Contest,” said Lyndsay Bayne, Public Information & Marketing Manager for the City of El Reno. “Bringing community and national events like this to El Reno is what our sponsorship program is all about, boosting tourism and economic development for both locals and visitors.” The city awarded the event $3,500 from their local hotel/motel tax fund, the maximum amount available.

“One of the joys of Route 66 is how it weaves with the land and invites people to connect with the natural environment,” said Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin. “If any travelers are coming through and want to learn a little more about how the next generation is learning to handle the challenges of future climate conditions, this is a perfect opportunity.”

The event takes place at the Canadian County Expo Center & Event Center on May 7th, with practices scheduled for May 5-6.

DMOND, OK (April 30, 2026) — Online registration opens April 30 for the 2026 edition of Cycle 66, Oklahoma’s premier Route 66-themed cycling event. Set for Sunday, October 4, 2026, all rides will begin and end in Downtown Edmond, bringing together cyclists of all ages and abilities for a day of community, competition, and celebration.

New for 2026, Cycle 66 has been officially designated a Route 66 Centennial Certified event, recognizing its role in honoring the legacy and spirit of America’s most iconic highway. The event also introduces a new 100-mile route extending to Stroud, Oklahoma, offering an exciting challenge for endurance riders while showcasing a scenic stretch of historic Route 66.

“Each year, we look for ways to elevate the experience while staying true to our mission,” said Ride Director Jason Duncan. “Adding a 100-mile route and earning Route 66 Centennial Certification are meaningful steps forward. We’re proud to create an event that brings people together, celebrates this historic highway, and gives back in a tangible way.”

Cycle 66 features both recreational tour rides and USA Cycling-sanctioned criterium races held in Downtown Edmond, making it a unique event that blends community participation with high-energy competition. All tour riders, regardless of distance, will launch at 7:00 a.m., while criterium racing will begin at 9:00 a.m. This year’s criterium has been designated by USA Cycling as the Oklahoma State Category-Based Championship, elevating the level of competition and prestige.

The tour portion of Cycle 66 includes several thoughtfully designed routes of varying distances and difficulty, all highlighting historic Route 66. Riders will travel through and experience iconic communities including Arcadia, Luther, Wellston, Chandler, and Stroud, with themed rest stops that celebrate the charm, culture, and nostalgia of the Mother Road along the way.

Spectators are encouraged to join the excitement in Downtown Edmond, where they can enjoy local vendors, retailers, and restaurants throughout the day. The event atmosphere offers the unique opportunity to watch tour riders return while experiencing the fast-paced, high-energy criterium races.

A key part of what makes Cycle 66 possible is the support of its “Mother Road Sponsors,” whose partnership reflects a shared commitment to community, wellness, and economic vitality. The 2026 Mother Road Sponsors include Visit Edmond, which serves as a special Marketing partner, as well as Humana, Oklahoma Complete Health, Remington Park, Google, CVS Health, and Walmart. Their investment helps ensure a high-quality experience for participants while amplifying the event’s charitable impact.

Registration is $66. Children ages 10 and under can participate for free in a 1-mile fun ride, and junior criterium racers can enter for $15. Packet pickup will take place on Saturday, October 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Frenzy Brewing Company in Downtown Edmond.

Since its founding in 2020, Cycle 66 has donated nearly $100,000 to charitable causes. Proceeds from the 2026 event will benefit the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the Edmond YMCA. Funds will specifically support the YMCA’s new bicycle rental program, part of a new facility currently under development in east Edmond.

Cycle 66’s mission is to inspire active lifestyles, celebrate the spirit of Route 66, and give back to the community through a world-class cycling event rooted in fun, teamwork, and generosity.

For registration, volunteer opportunities and additional event details, visit www.cycle66ok.com.

As Oklahoma prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, Langston University is partnering with local communities to support beautification and community enhancement efforts along the Mother Road.

Through the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture & Applied Sciences Cooperative Extension and Outreach Programs, Langston University has launched a Route 66 Centennial Community Beautification Project designed to strengthen local pride, improve shared spaces, and support economic development in Route 66 corridor communities across Oklahoma.

As part of this centennial initiative, eligible communities may receive $2,000 beautification vouchers to be used for plants and related supplies. Vouchers are redeemable through TLC Garden Centers in Oklahoma City and are intended to support visible, community-led projects such as downtown planters, streetscape improvements, and other public-facing enhancements.

Oklahoma’s 1890 Land-Grant University funding supports this effort and aligns with Langston University Extension’s mission to promote community development, environmental stewardship, and sustainability. Supporting Communities During the Route 66 Centennial Route 66 Centennial represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Oklahoma communities to showcase their identity, welcome visitors, and invest in long-term improvements. By working collaboratively with local leaders, civic groups, and residents, Langston University Extension aims to help communities honor the legacy of Route 66 while planting seeds—literally and figuratively—for the future.

Communities interested in participating in or learning more about the Route 66 Centennial Beautification Project are encouraged to contact Joshua Davis III at Langston University (Joshua.davis12@langston.edu, 405-255-5729).

WEATHERFORD, OKLAHOMA (April 17, 2026) – The Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s first Centennial event is on Saturday, April 25 at the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford! The Route 66 Big Band Hangar Dance honors and celebrates the early years of the famous highway when the road served an important part of the World War II war effort. It helped with troop movements out west and provided a safe and reliable path for materials to get where they needed to be. “This event is a way for us to honor that era,” says Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, “and also to bring people to Weatherford which has branded itself as Space City further elevating the legacy of its most famous citizen, General Thomas Stafford.”

The event will take place in the Smithsonian-affiliated Stafford Air and Space Museum which has expanded with a brand new event space, outdoor learning areas, and gardens! The primary entertainment for the evening will include big band music courtesy of Talk of the Town Orchestra, swing dance lessons and a performance from the Oklahoma Swing Syndicate, documentary filmmaker Katrina Parks’ Rosies on 66 screenings, and viewing vintage aircraft up close!

The Boogie Baby, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain, a Beech C-45, and a PT-19 Trainer from the Caldwell Collection will be on display at the event.

Before the event, the pilot of the Beech C-45 will be giving rides for $125 from noon until the event begins. The plane can seat up to six people and flights last around 20 minutes.

The evening will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres from Lucille’s Roadhouse including onion burger sliders, fried pickles, spamwiches, chili, milkshakes, and apple cobbler.

Guests can also enjoy a night-at-the-museum perusing the exhibits, snapping a souvenir photo at the photo booth, and taking in the special exhibit of Route 66 photos from a private collection.

Tickets are on flash sale this weekend, Friday-Sunday, for $15 off each ticket. Purchase tickets at www.oklahomaroute66.com/bbhd. After that, the prices will go back up to $50 per ticket. Each ticket includes all entertainment, food, two drink tickets redeemable at the bar, and a souvenir Route 66 Big Band Hangar Dance challenge coin, exclusive for this event.

The event also includes a corsage bar, with floral corsages created by The Cup on 66! Corsages are available for a small donation.

Guests are encouraged to dress in 1940s era clothing or your Sunday best!

As I stood outside of Sweetie Pie’s Amish Bakery and Café on Tulsa’s stretch of Route 66, I could hear the little car coming. It wasn’t struggling, per se, but the engine just sounded different. Then I saw it: a little two-door car that was nearly identical in color to the city’s famous Golden Driller. I also saw its inhabitants: Patrick Friedrich and Torsten Prasch. They were in the middle of a journey down Historic Route 66 in a vehicle that had quite a history.

The Trabant (which means companion, and it is colloquially known as a Trabi) is a relic of the cold war. These cars were produced in East Germany from 1957 until 1991, shortly after the Berlin Wall fell. Metal was harder to come by on the other side of the Iron Curtain due to embargoes, so the body panels are made of Duroplast. The material was invented in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the 1950s and is a plastic fiber material not unlike Formica. The design of the cars remained virtually unchanged in 30 years and became a symbol of the country…in more ways than one.

The cars had to be ordered from the state itself, and it was not an easy process. “When you wanted to have one…you had to wait fifteen years to get it,” Patrick explained. He said that some people would order a car right after a child was born so that perhaps it would be available when they were of driving age. The cars weren’t cheap, either. “Simple workers, maybe earned 300 marks [a month] when the car was about 10,000 marks.” Some would sell off the notes halfway through the waiting period for a profit and a used car went for about twice the money.

These factors, coupled with the fact that people greatly desired western cars once they had the opportunity, mean that Trabants are relatively rare today. Out of around 3 million produced, only 40,000 or so remain licensed and drivable. But the number is growing as cars are found and restored by enthusiasts.

Patrick and Torsten were both around 20 when communism in Europe collapsed; they lived in western Germany at the time. They told me how hard it was for people to go from a mindset where someone that had been an enemy for 40 years was suddenly supposed to be your friend. Patrick was fascinated by the life that had been on the other side of the wall and moved to the GDR when he had an opportunity, where he fell in love with the Trabant and its history.

Patrick had been dreaming of a Route 66 trip in a Trabi for decades. Although he was set to realize those dreams a few years ago, COVID was a setback. But then he set his sights on the Centennial year. He connected with a few friends (there’s another Trabi on Route 66 making the journey, too, but its occupants were visiting friends elsewhere on the day they came through Tulsa) and here he was on the most famous road in the world. “There is so much to plan if you make such a trip,” Patrick said, adding how lucky they were that four of them were able to get nearly two months off of work to take the trip.

Two months because the traveling party wanted to take their time crossing the country. Not only because the Trabi’s little air-cooled two-stroke engine averages about 50 miles-per-hour, but because they truly wanted to connect with the places and people that the road led them to. He showed me the itinerary planning document he’d made, which was extensive. He told me about meeting so many wonderful, friendly people like Phyllis Ferguson of the Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield and Rita Kirchoff at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba.

In between bites of breakfast, I asked them how they felt about Route 66 being held up in the United States as a beacon of freedom. Did that ring true to their experience?

“Yes, definitely,” Patrick said. “If you think, years ago, many people came from Europe. They wanted to find a better place to live, because in Europe there had been wars and all that stuff, in such a short time one after the other. They wanted to be rid of this.” Many people found it in America. “They went down Route 66 and stopped somewhere. ‘OK, it’s nice here,’ or they went on to find another place. ‘I’m free to go anywhere and I can do anything. I can be a farmer, or work in fabrication, anything.’ That is freedom, the same as when the Wall came down.” Although the experience was not unique to Route 66, the road’s cultural place in the American story meant that it stood out from the rest.

Our visit certainly gave me a lot to think about as America celebrates its 250th birthday this year, alongside the Route 66 Centennial. I waved goodbye to my new friends as they continued west, with the freedom of the open road reflected in their windshield and stamped upon their hearts.

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, in collaboration with multiple statewide Route 66 organizations, is launching a collectible series of trading cards for the Route 66 Centennial. Starting April 15th, cards will be available at locations across the Route 66 corridor from Illinois to California for $1 apiece.

“We wanted to offer a fun and different item that people could add to their Route 66 itineraries as they travel during the road’s 100th Anniversary,” said Rhys Martin, board member of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. “State associations and scenic byways have been working together with the Road Ahead for a decade now and we wanted something to show that Route 66 truly is one long linear community that also gives back to that community.”

Each card includes a Route 66 landmark, with locations divided out across the eight states that the road passes through with a list of factoids on the back. The number of cards in each state was determined by mileage and each location was selected by individual state Route 66 organizations.

This initial launch of 27 cards was made possible thanks to a generous sponsorship by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. “Working alongside the other seven Route 66 states to create a unique, nostalgic, and exciting Centennial offering truly reflects the strength and value of collaboration,” said Casey Claypool, Executive Director of the Byway. “I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a dedicated and passionate group of Route 66 stewards.  I hope travelers will appreciate the care, time, and collective effort that went into bringing this project to life.”

26 of the cards will be sold at various locations along Route 66 while the 27th will be offered from the Route 66 Centennial Caravan as it makes its way across the highway in June. Cards will only cost a dollar apiece, with a portion of each sale going to the business offering the card and a portion going back to each state organization.

“This initial set of cards will hopefully inspire other businesses and landmarks to get involved,” Martin continued. “We plan to offer future ‘booster packs’ of cards with those proceeds going to the Road Ahead Partnership’s Preservation and Economic Development Grant.”

To start your collection, look up card-selling locations at www.route66tradingcards.com. To learn more about the Route 66 Centennial Caravan in June, go to www.route66caravan.com.

Volunteering with the Oklahoma Route 66 Association just got easier thanks to a new portal that helps both members and Association leadership track opportunities and overall engagement. The Association relies on volunteer support for most of its operations, from event attendance to Trip Guide deliveries and more.

“We are so excited to provide more opportunities for our members to share their love of Route 66,” said Association President Rhys Martin. “The Centennial year is in full swing and we need the support to make sure that all 400+ miles of the Mother Road in Oklahoma are represented.”

VolunteerHub is a leading volunteer organization software solution used by nonprofits and other organizations around the world. Jaimie Gua, Oklahoma County District Representative, pitched the platform at the Association’s January membership meeting, with several members speaking up about having used the software before for other organizations. Adoption of the platform was unanimous.

“I like to say we picked VolunteerHub for the same reason people pick Route 66: it’s the best way to get from great intentions to real destinations—and I’m proud our board trusted me to put it on the map for Oklahoma’s stretch of the Mother Road,” Jaimie said. “With it, we can spend less time in the paperwork slow lane and spend more time keeping Oklahoma’s Mother Road alive and thriving.”

The first event that volunteers can sign up to help with is the Big Band Hangar Dance in Weatherford, scheduled for April 25th, 2026. Members will also be able to sign up for some administrative tasks at the Association office in Tulsa and with the ongoing delivery of the popular Oklahoma Route 66 Trip Guide to Business Member locations across the state.

You can sign up for more information and to find volunteer opportunities at https://oklahomaroute66.volunteerhub.com/vv2/. More opportunities will be added over the coming weeks as the portal is built out.

The 2026 Oklahoma Route 66 Trip Guide is now available! This year not only marks the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road but also marks the 30th year of our annual Trip Guide, which is the largest ever at 144 pages.

“We are incredibly proud of this edition of our Trip Guide, which is cited by travelers from across the globe as an invaluable resource for traveling our favorite highway,” said Rhys Martin, President of the Association. “They can be ordered from our website today and will be available from Business Member locations across the region as we get them distributed.” Guides are free in person and only cost shipping if ordered online.

The booklet features maps of each community along Oklahoma’s 400+ miles of Historic Route 66 along with historic information, business listings, road trip games, and more. Although the guide focuses on Oklahoma, the Association has members in nearly 30 states and multiple countries. “When you look through the guide and plan your trip, please support our members. Without their membership and advertising, we wouldn’t be able to advocate for preservation or promote the many wonderful things happening along the Route 66 corridor in our state.”

The cover artwork this year is a commissioned piece by Oklahoma artist Jessica Stout. “We wanted something a little more special for the Centennial year,” Martin continued. “Jessica created a wonderful piece for our cover that we’re also offering as an 11x14 poster for people that want something to display to mark this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.” The artwork pulls from familiar Oklahoma iconography to present a timeless image of the open road. The limited-edition poster can also be ordered online (shipped separately) or available in-person at Meadow Gold Mack in Tulsa.

Guides can be ordered at www.oklahomaroute66.com or picked up at Business Member locations across the state, which should be delivered by our Board and volunteers over the next few weeks. Jessica Stout’s work, which includes murals throughout eastern Oklahoma, can be seen at www.jessicastout.com.

After more than 30 years of darkness, the iconic Cotton Boll Motel neon sign in Canute, Oklahoma is alight once more. The sign relighting is the first phase of multiple projects the community has in the works to highlight their local history and celebrate their place on the Mother Road.

The Cotton Boll opened in May 1960. Woodrow and Viola Penick, who had been cotton farmers, had the 16-room motel built alongside US Highway 66. Joe Mahl of Elk City was the builder of the structure and Seright Neon of Elk City created the stunning sign. The motel advertised air conditioning, vinyl tile, and a TV set in each room. Ten years later, the I-40 bypass was completed, severing Canute from the flow of most tourist traffic. But the Cotton Boll survived on oilfield and agricultural business. The Penicks sold the motel in 1979 and it continued to operate until the early 1990s.

Pat and Cheryl Webb bought the motel in 1993 as a private residence shortly after it closed. By then, the sign was no longer operable. However, the distinctive porcelain cabinet had already become a popular photo stop for travelers from around the world. People in the town had reached out to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the State Historic Preservation Office at the time about preserving the sign and making it a monument, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Joe Kisicki, President of the Association at the time, told The Daily Oklahoman that the Association didn’t have the resources to finance such projects, but that it was certainly, “part of the attraction of Route 66.”

When the State of Oklahoma created the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant in 2023, preservationists in the town of Canute took notice. Their local CPR Group (Canute Preservation and Restoration) applied for a grant that would bring new life to Old Route 66 in their town - and got it. The Cotton Boll project is just the first phase and will be followed by work to other structures, including the Washita Motel sign to the west and the former Hi-De-Hi Drive-In to the east.

Pat Webb, who still owns the motel, gifted the sign to the City of Canute so that the project could take place and the work was completed by Just-In-Time Signs out of Sayre. In fact, the sign cabinet itself wasn’t even repainted - the porcelain was simply cleaned and polished.

On the evening of March 21st, a crowd of 130 people gathered in Canute (population 494) on the side of Historic Route 66 to be there when the switch was flipped. People from as far away as Houston, Texas and Tucumcari, New Mexico came to be a part of the special occasion. In attendance were the presidents of both the Texas and Oklahoma Route 66 Associations and numerous Route 66 roadies from around the region, but the stars of the evening were the Penick daughters, Marilyn and Shirley, who came in from southeast Texas.

After speeches from the mayor and a few others, the neon was turned on just before 7:00 PM to great fanfare. People from near and far continued to snap photos as the sun set behind the concrete roadway and many revelers migrated to the nearby Friends Pub & Pizza, where they visited until well after 10. The motel is still a private residence, but in this Centennial year the sign will call to Route 66 travelers as both a reminder of yesterday and a dream of tomorrow.

Rick Koch, owner of ASAP Energy Inc., is celebrating his 66th birthday in 2026 by giving away a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle. It’s a way to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial for a man whose story has been intertwined with the Mother Road for his entire life.

“My grandfather owned East Side Salvage on Route 66,” Rick said in a phone interview as he reminisced about his time growing up in Weatherford. He was just a boy when I-40 was being completed, but he had a distinct memory of being on Route 66 when parts of it were still the main highway. He remembered thinking, “Who would ever design such a bumpy road?” as they passed over the concrete panels that are still prevalent in many parts of Western Oklahoma today. “They might have built it bumpy, but they built it to last.”

Rick opened his first service station in 1979 with his brother, right on Route 66. Then, they opened a second one. Rick remembered when he managed a station next door to a small Valentine diner on Main Street that is now on display at the Heartland of America Museum. Back then, it was known as the Cliff House. “The thing that most people don’t realize is that they didn’t have bathrooms,” he said, noting that he always took good care of the restrooms at the station. “Edna and Annie, the two ladies that worked there, they had an extra key.” The waitresses paid him and his staff back with a free cheeseburger on Saturdays.

Eventually, Rick founded ASAP Energy Inc. Today, they operate twenty convenience stores in Oklahoma and distribute fuel across eight states. But the company does more than provide fuel: it preserves a part of Oklahoma’s Route 66 history. In the early 2000s, Rick purchased Lucille Hamons’ old service station out on Historic Route 66. Lucille was a beloved figure in the greater Route 66 community for decades and an inductee into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame.

“When I was going to high school, we all knew who Lucille was,” Rick said. His family would stop at the station often on their way to and from Oklahoma City. Shortly after Lucille passed away in 2000, her station went up on eBay. It didn’t sell. Rick contacted Cheryl Nowka (Lucille’s daughter and the first webmaster for the Oklahoma Route 66 Association) and in 2002 became the new owner of the station. A small article in our December 2002 newsletter states: Rick’s immediate plans are to ensure the old gas station is structurally sounds, then restore the outside to a specific era, antique gas pumps and all. It also mentioned his plans to build a 1950s-style diner at his truck stop in honor of Lucille. Of course, that’s exactly what happened.

“When I bought it, it was covered in vines,” Rick remembered. “They were invading the building. The wood was dry and somewhat rotting … me and my son Brian thought we’d just tackle that one summer day. We went to cut it down and, well, it was poison ivy!” The old motor court building was about to fall down, so they took it down and rebuilt a new version of it on-site. They keep the historic building painted, the roof in good order, and tend to the grounds. Recently, a new selfie stand was installed and a 1954 Chevrolet pickup was parked out there. They’re working on plans for an outdoor picnic pavilion and a recreation of the Hamons Court neon sign that hangs in the Smithsonian today. The operation of the Lucille’s Roadhouse Restaurants in Weatherford and Clinton as well as Lucille’s Hotel help fund the preservation and enhancement of the original station.

This year not only marks the Centennial of Route 66 and America’s 250th Birthday, but Rick turns 66 years old. To celebrate the the occasion, he is giving away a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle through ASAP’s Kickback Rewards program. The car will be given away on Rick’s birthday, August 6th, at the Lucille’s Roadhouse restaurant in Weatherford. People can learn more at: https://asapenergyinc.com/giveaway/.

What does Rick want people to take away from Route 66’s Centennial? “How important our history is and how important it is to preserve our history. Route 66 was all about … connectivity and connecting people together. Making things easier to traverse from one part of the country to the other. Because of the success of Route 66, the interstate was just an expansion of that. When you saw how you could connect Chicago to California, how to connect the rest of the United States…it shrunk the world. It made it where [people] could help each other.”

TULSA, OK - The Admiral Twin Drive-In announced their opening date for the season as Friday, April 3rd. 2026 is not only the Centennial of Route 66, but it’s the 75th season of this local icon. The Admiral Twin opened in 1951 as the Modernaire, but a year later they added a second screen and adopted the name that Tulsans are now familiar with.

Owner Blake Smith shared, “2026 should be a great year! We have a lot planned for the season. We kick things off on April 3rd with ‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie.’ But the big 75th anniversary celebration happens on May 29th, featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony, live music, and, most importantly, screenings of ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘Cool Hand Luke!’ We’re inviting all of Tulsa to join us for this special event.” The Admiral Twin was famously featured in the 1983 Outsiders film.

Speaking of the Centennial of Route 66, the Admiral Twin also announced an afternoon car show on May 30th to coincide with the Route 66 Capital Cruise, which plans to bring in 3,000 cars to Tulsa to break a Guinness World Record. Blake and the rest of the crew at the Admiral Twin encourage guests to bring their vehicles and enjoy the festivities at one of the city’s most enduring landmarks.

More details on both events will be announced soon. For more information, contact info@admiraltwindrivein.com.

In 2005, the theater was recognized by Hampton Inn’s Save-A-Landmark program and received their Route 66 Roadside Attraction signage, which was recently refreshed by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. Although the original screen burned to the ground in a devastating 2010 fire, grass-roots fundraising helped get the screens rebuilt two years later.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Keep Oklahoma Beautiful was honored with the National Innovation Award during the 2026 Keep America Beautiful Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana. This prestigious award recognizes organizations that develop and lead groundbreaking, creative solutions to environmental challenges within their communities. Keep Oklahoma Beautiful received this distinction for its innovative initiative, Keep Route 66 Beautiful, which empowers communities to remove litter and enhance the beauty of the iconic 400+ miles of Route 66 in Oklahoma. The initiative provides vital resources to support local efforts in beautification and environmental stewardship along the historic highway.

The award ceremony featured Lucinda Robb, granddaughter of Lady Bird Johnson, who presented the award and shared inspiring remarks. “If my grandmother was here, I know she would be very pleased and proud of the work you’re doing in Oklahoma,” Robb stated, reflecting on Lady Bird Johnson’s enduring legacy in environmental beautification.

Evelyn Schaefer, Executive Director of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “Our mission only works because of the heart and hard work our Affiliates pour into their hometowns every single day,” said Schaefer. “As we all prepare for the influx in tourism in Oklahoma communities, we will continue to work with local leaders to build community pride and a much more beautiful, sustainable state.”

In 2025, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful was awarded a grant through the Route 66 Revitalization Program, an initiative of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The grant enabled the organization to collaborate directly with communities on projects including painting, planting trees, installing pollinator gardens, removing roadside litter, and other beautification efforts in preparation for the highway’s centennial anniversary. This program has helped the Oklahoma Route 66 Association with beautification efforts, such as the cleanup at Kobel’s Station in Foss in 2025.

CHANDLER, OKLAHOMA - After a year of discussion, advocacy, and legal battles, Chandler’s historic St. Cloud Hotel is coming down.

In March of 2025, the roof of the St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler was severely damaged in a storm, compromising the building. The City of Chandler held a meeting on April 8th of that year and deemed the building a hazard and voted for demolition. The owner argued that the City had blocked his application for permits to repair the building and that a permit was not required for some of the work that needed to be completed. The City denied this and stated that the permits were not completed correctly and had provided a list of necessary changes for approval. This escalated all the way to the Oklahoma Supreme Court on appeal, but according to a KFOR report in January a bond was not paid and the city’s plans could proceed.

“Preservation is one of the primary parts of our mission,” said Association President Rhys Martin. “So when a historic structure is endangered, we do what we can to call attention to it and connect people with resources. The St. Cloud Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but, unfortunately, that does not offer protection from demolition. In this case, the Association was never able to engage the owner to talk directly.”

In an email, the State Historic Preservation Office said that they had been in contact with the owner multiple times, as had Preservation Oklahoma, but that since it was an issue between the city and the property owner there were limited solutions available and that all of them would require significant financial investment. Larry Donbraswell, co-owner of the building, said on Facebook that the city did not give him due process to make the needed repairs.

Chandler is known for its high concentration of structures on the National Register, both on and off Historic Route 66. The St. Cloud Hotel opened on April 20th, 1904 and was known for the ghost murals on the side of the building. The St. Cloud and Coca-Cola murals were restored in 2006 by Dean Godner and Shaun Colbert of Oklahoma City with funding from the Great Plans Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The project, which restored the faded murals while retaining a weathered, vintage look won the SHPO’s Citation of Merit Award in 2007. Owner John Givens operated a muffler shop in the building at the time and even then it was noted to be struggling with condemnation by the city.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - After nearly two decades of sitting, Bob Waldmire’s U-Haul truck is being restored.

If you’re not familiar with the story of artist Bob Waldmire, you can ask just about any roadie that was around in his lifetime and they’ll have a story about him. Bob was a traveling artist that had a passion for history, nature, and beauty. You can learn more about Bob with our Google Arts and Culture article here, but one part of the story that ties directly to Oklahoma is a retired U-Haul truck he acquired in 2007.

Bob painted a mural on the left side of the truck and put it up for sale, but those plans didn’t come together before his death in 2009. Ken and Marian Clark of Tulsa, who had helped Bob purchase the truck, donated it to the National Route 66 Museum and Transportation Museum in Elk City, but they didn’t have room for it. That’s how it eventually ended up with Laurel Kane at Afton Station in Ottawa County, where it remained until 2019.

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association acquired the truck late that year and stationed it in Chelsea for travelers to enjoy and always planned to restore it to working order. “We thought it would be a wonderful tribute to Bob’s legacy to turn it into a mobile museum of sorts,” said Association President Rhys Martin. “It would give us a way to deploy at events on-and-off Route 66 and hopefully inspire people to travel the road themselves.” The restoration project was designated as an official Route 66 Centennial project by the US Route 66 Centennial Commission and a full inspection was performed with the assistance of Association members Billy and Pam Stanbro of Chelsea…but the price tag to return the truck to the road was high.

At the Association’s Annual Membership Meeting in January, a teacher with the Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City approached the organization and pitched the idea of making the restoration a student project. “When Rhys was talking about the Bob Waldmire U-Haul project, I immediately thought, this would be an awesome project for my automotive collision repair class,” said Clint Drabek. “I knew it would be a great opportunity for my students to take part in the restoration of a historical piece of rolling art. We are extremely excited to be a part of the Bob Waldmire project and look forward to seeing it make its way back to service during the Route 66 Centennial Celebration!”

Getting the truck from northeast Oklahoma to Oklahoma City was another matter, but LD’s Wrecker in Chandler, a member of the Association since 1990, stepped up to help. In fact, they were so excited to be a part of the project that they made a special trip to a few Route 66 landmarks as they made their way across Eastern Oklahoma on Wednesday, February 25th. Bob had been a fixture at the Rock Café in Stroud and still has a booth specially decorated with his artwork. The truck stopped briefly at the Rock due to this history and the manager, Beverly Thomas, stepped outside for a moment to see the truck as it continued west.

Now, students at Francis Tuttle will restore the mechanical parts of the truck. Other arrangements are being made locally to restore the exterior and interior of the cab. Bob’s artwork has faded over the last twenty years and the Association would like to restore it, too, but they are also highly aware of the potential for damaging it. “We want to honor Bob’s legacy, not ruin his work,” Martin said. “We have to figure that part out but we’re committed to doing it right.”

Once the truck is back on the road, the Association will begin seeking funding to build out the back of the truck with a customized, deployable educational experience. But in the meantime, it will give the Association some additional visibility at events and along the road itself.

SAPULPA, OKLAHOMA - Registration is now open for the Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s Centennial Car Show. The event will take place on September 26th, 2026 at Sapulpa’s Tee Pee Drive-In. The car show will be followed by a separate event that evening: a screening of Pixar’s film Cars, which celebrates 20 years alongside Route 66’s 100th anniversary.

“The Oklahoma Route 66 Association has been an advocate for preservation and history of the road for 37 years,” said Association President Rhys Martin. “We thought an event focused the vehicles themselves during this momentous year would be a great way to celebrate the road’s ongoing legacy. And holding that event at a historic venue like the Tee Pee is even better!”

The Tee Pee Drive-In opened in 1950, during the road’s so-called heyday. It closed in 1999 after years of decline, but five years ago the Kante Group purchased the property and began renovations. It opened to great fanfare in 2023, its story mirroring that of Route 66 itself.

“Route 66 represents the very best of the American spirit - entrepreneurs who build something meaningful, communities that welcome travelers, and dreamers who believe in creating a better future,” said Ben and Joni Kante, owners of the drive-in. “The Tee Pee Drive-In serves as a breeding ground of creativity, imagination, and thoughts of what has yet become for hundreds. When we had the opportunity to restore it, we felt a deep responsibility to honor those dreamers who came before us. This isn’t just about preserving a screen - it’s about a reflection of the courage, optimism, and the ‘get it done’ determination mind set while upholding a sense of community that defined Route 66. To see the Tee Pee once again filled with families, classic cars, and shared experiences is incredibly moving for us. We are grateful to play a role in ensuring this special place continues inspiring others for the next 100 years.”

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is partnering with AmericaCarShows.com for the event, a Tulsa-based company with decades of experience. Registration is $25 per car; all proceeds go towards the Association’s mission to preserve and promote Route 66 throughout the state.

As Route 66 celebrates its centennial in 2026, Martin wants people to know that the road is still alive and still evolving. “People come to Route 66 for all kinds of reasons, but it’s the people they meet that stick in their memory and bring them back. Classic cars and their owners are a great example of the passion you can find from small business owners, preservationists, and others that you can find along the road. And, of course, the movie Cars brought the story to a whole new generation.”

The screening of the movie in the evening is also being organized by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, in partnership with the Kante Group, and they are working on bringing out a few special guests for the occasion. “Many of the characters in the movie are based on real people and there’s an incredible story about how the real towns inspired Radiator Springs. We’re excited to make this showing a little more special and will have more details to announce as we get closer to the event this fall.”

Registration can be completed online at OK66CarShow.com and more information about the event can be found there.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – A dynamic new exhibit on US Route 66 opens on Friday, February 27, at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. Visitors will be immersed in the highway’s unique history and cultural legacy, told through vibrant imagery and storytelling. Special guests Michael Wallis, voice of the sheriff in “Cars,” and Ken Busby, executive director of the Route 66 Alliance, will be on hand to discuss the highway and the making of the film.

In the 1930s, people wanted to rename the highway after Will Rogers, who enjoyed national fame. After he died in 1935, efforts to honor him increased, and the US Highway Association later that year designated Route 66 as “Will Rogers Highway.”

The exhibit explores the various dedications of the highway in memory of Will Rogers from the 1930s to the 1950s and discusses the Will Rogers Highway in pop culture, from a cameo appearance in “The Grapes of Wrath” to Woody Guthrie’s folk music.

The opening begins at 5 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting, followed by a Q&A session at 6 p.m. with Busby and Wallis to discuss current efforts to celebrate the route and the creative process that went into the making of the film “Cars.” At 7 p.m., there will be a screening of the Disney/Pixar film “Cars.” Admission is free to the public.

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is located at 1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore. Call 918-341-0719 for more information.

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.