The Centennial Celebration of Route 66
- Jenny Rich
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Casey Claypool, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, presented the Lunch & Learn program “The Centennial Celebration of Route 66” to members of the Mid-Illinois Communications Association and guests. She discussed the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which is happening this year, and communications efforts related to the yearlong centennial celebration of the legendary road.
Casey briefly described the structure and funding of the Scenic Byway organization and explained how it collaborates with a variety of individuals and organizations, including tourism bureaus and the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission.
She and colleagues work with their counterparts in other states in getting the word out about the Route 66 centennial and the various celebratory activities happening along the “Mother Road.”
Getting the Word Out
Illinois has, by far, “the most marketable miles” of Route 66, compared with other Route 66 states, she said. Part of the Scenic Byway’s work is to help small businesses along the route to attract visitors and customers.
The Byway’s website, at www.IllinoisRoute66.org, includes a wide range of information and features, such as an interactive map and an online shop with Route 66 merchandise.
The organization has been developing what she calls non-traditional methods of communication and promotion – for example, a free mobile app that, among other features, highlights places to eat, stay and explore; helps travelers plan their route; and promotes upcoming events. Push notifications keep app users updated with helpful information, such as when additional Route 66 activities are scheduled across the country.
The app is called Explore Illinois Route 66 and is available on Apple and Google app stores. Bloomington will be using the app when it hosts a scavenger hunt as part of the Route 66 yearlong celebration.
A Sampling of Events
Casey said she’s been planning for the centennial since she started working with the Scenic Byway. Multiple celebrations are scheduled throughout Illinois and in other states along Route 66.
Here are just a few:
Springfield, Missouri, is hosting the National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration, which starts April 30.
Carlinville, Illinois, is hosting a Route 66 jubilee on June 26, a date that matches with Carlinville’s ZIP code of 62626.
Springfield, Illinois, is hosting its celebration on November 11 – which is the birthday of Route 66.
Nostalgia and Teaching a New Generation
When people are traveling Route 66, they mostly want photo opportunities that illustrate unique aspects of the road, she said. You can find a list of good places for Illinois photo opps on the Scenic Byway website – a couple of examples are the giant Brooks Catsup Bottle water tower in Collinsville and the Railsplitter Covered Wagon in Lincoln. The photo opps with these “monuments” is a non-traditional and effective way of promoting Route 66.
Social media plays a big role in the Scenic Byway’s communications efforts about Route 66. The organization also sends out a weekly newsletter. (You can sign up for it at their website.)
Casey said the standard Route 66 traveler is age 55 or older, and a large number of the travelers come from places outside the United States. She explained that the appeal is basically nostalgic – the road represents America as it was. Route 66 also was featured in the Pixar movie “Cars.”
Route 66 “really speaks to what built America – small towns,” she said.
She is working with others to ensure that younger people know about Route 66. Casey is collaborating with Ace Sign Company to develop a classroom curriculum for kids, and it will be tested soon. A newly developed character called Simon the Sputnik is aimed at engaging young people.
Casey also discussed the Scenic Byway’s leadership role in making the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds a reality. Her organization coordinated with Visit Springfield, Ace Sign Co., the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Enjoy Illinois to establish the educational, fun, and free attraction, which was funded by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grants.
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