Standing on The Corner in Winslow AZ
=========================================================
Annual Arizona Route 66 Fun Run - May 5, 6, 7 2023
More than 800 vehicles carrying thousands of friends will be joining the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona from May 5, 6, 7, 2023 for a weekend of adventure! Fun Run participants from across the globe will meet in Seligman to travel a 140 mile stretch of Route 66 with events planned in nearly every community along the way! The procession will conclude in Topock/Golden Shores with an awesome award ceremony to cap-off the weekend.
The annual Fun Run fundraiser traces it's roots to early 1987 - when 15 individuals embarked on an ambitious journey to champion the rebirth of Route 66. This collaboration lead to the formation of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Recognizing capital as a vital component of their work and the absolute importance of community, the Association got creative and the Annual Historic Route 66 Fun Run was born. That following the spring, the First Annual Historic Route 66 Fun Run attracted the 152 entrants! The governor of Arizona, Rose Mofford, cut the ceremonial ribbons, Will Rogers, Jr. participated as the first Grand Marshal, and the Delgadillo's band headlined the event - it was a blast!
Today, the experience has become a tradition. It's continued success has allowed the Association to aggressively pursue it's mission for the preservation, protection, and promotion of the Mother Road. In many ways, it embodies all that we love of Route 66 - family, community, cars, and Americana. The Association will always stay true to those things that made the first Fun Run work - creating a relaxing, fun packed weekend of camaraderie, cars and the celebration of an American icon... Historic Route 66.
=========================================================
8th Annual Vinita Route 66 Festival Set for June 16-17 2023
Organizers are inviting participants and attendees to the eighth annual Vinita Route 66 Festival in June. Now is the time to make your plans, sign up for activities, and join in the fun at this popular Northeastern Oklahoma event.
This year’s festival will bring back many popular activities for participants to enjoy with some new treats for festivalgoers. The opening event will be a carnival from Pride Amusements in South Park on Wednesday evening continuing through Saturday night.
The Route 66 Block Party on Friday and Saturday nights will bring family and friends together downtown with live music from Broken Aces and Whiskey Poet Society, free family games, and food trucks.
Saturday’s daytime fun will also include a car show organized by the Craig County Cruisers, family entertainment, and shopping specials at local merchants and vendors. New activities this year include a sidewalk chalk art contest for all ages and a power wheels parade and park for the youngest auto enthusiasts.
There will be an afternoon of Explore Vinita open houses to help folks beat the heat. Attendees can cool down before the evening block party by spending time at the new Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center or meander through Eastern Trails Museum to enjoy the special exhibit of vintage and freestyle bicycles.
Other options include catching an afternoon movie matinee at the historic Center Theater or taking a dive or making a splash at the city’s public swimming pool or splash pad, or just enjoying scenic shoreline views and abundant shade at Vinita Lake Park.
The Vinita Friends of Route 66 is the non-profit group that organizes the festival each year so that locals and visitors alike can enjoy their time in Oklahoma’s second-oldest town nestled in the northern part of the Cherokee Nation Reservation; once the hometown of Cyrus Stephens Avery, the ‘Father of Rt. 66’.
Platinum-level sponsorship for this year’s festival is being provided by Cherokee Nation Businesses, the City of Vinita, Kaleidoscope Coaching, O’Neal Design, and the Vinita Daily Journal.
For more information about festival activities, including car show registration, visit their website VinitaRoute66Festival.com and check out the latest updates on their Facebook page.
=========================================================