FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Alton, IL – April 30, 2026) Get your kicks on Route 66 in southwest Illinois this summer. Communities and residents all along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois will celebrate with a variety of festivals, events and even newly created Mother Road themed products.

The official kick off to the centennial is Thursday, April 30 and there are plans for a wide range of community events, activities along with the release of a new Route 66 craft beer and craft beverages.

Locals makers in southwest Illinois are honoring the Mother Road with drinks created specifically for the centennial. Old Herald Brewery & Distillery in Collinsville has partnered with Mississippi Culture in Staunton to bring to life the new Kicks on 66 Craft Beer. This beer is a refreshing cream ale with a kiss of vanilla and a hint of citrus. It is reminiscent of the soda fountain drinks from early road trip days. Duke Bakery in Alton and Granite City, has added a new Route 66 soda to its Duke Beverage line of glass bottled sodas in honor of the centennial.

Communities and attractions throughout southwest Illinois have planned a variety of early summer events in honor of the centennial celebration.

May Activities
Meet Big Foot at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall, 908 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway, Livingston on Saturday, May 9. This free, family-friendly event transforms the outside of the 100-year-old antique mall building into a Big Foot playground. Games, vendors and a Sasquatch Holler Contest highlight the festivities. The Pink Elephant Antique Mall is also home to a number of fiberglass giants including the larger-than-life pink elephant.

Additional May activities include Pet Adoption Day at Edwardsville’s West End Service Station, 620 St. Louis St., on May 23 and the Edwardsville Symphony’s salute to Route 66 with a concert at City Park on May 24.

June Activities
Fans and friends of Route 66 who also happen to be Jeep owners will take part in the Route 66 Jeep Run which takes place Saturday, June 6. The fun starts at the Litchfield Skyview Drive-In and ends at the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in Granite City. Tickets are $20.66 per jeep.

Head to Collinsville for the International Horseradish Festival on June 5-6. The annual celebration of the spicy root takes place in the city’s Uptown District. It’s free to attend.

Edwardsville will once again celebrate the Mother Road with the annual Route 66 Festival at City Park on Saturday, June 13. The day-long festival includes live music, vendors, a classic car cruise and more.

The Hemmings Great Race presented by Coker Tire will shine the spotlight along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 on Saturday, June 20. This classic car rally will make a stop in Uptown Collinsville. View these classic cars from 4:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. This year’s Great Race theme is Route 66 and the fun starts in Springfield, IL and travels down the Mother Road to its first stop of the race in Collinsville.

Collinsville will also host the Catsup Bottle Festival – a celebration of the World’s Tallest Catsup Bottle Water Tower – from 2 to 7 p.m. at Old Herald Square, 111 E. Clay St. on Saturday, June 20. Enjoy live music, tater tot and hot dog eating contests, Brooks Ketchup Tasting and a Mascot Madness dance. This is a free, family-friendly event.

Additional June events include at the West End Service Station Birthday Party in Edwardsville on June 6. Enjoy a Route 66 Tractor Drive which begins in Litchfield and travels along 35 miles of the Mother Road on Saturday, June 20. The Pink Elephant Antique Mall will hold a Route 66 Celebration also on June 20. A Route 66 Jubilee will be held in Carlinville on Saturday, June 26. The Edwardsville Symphony will hold an outdoor concert in honor of Route 66 at City Park on June 28.

Keep an eye open for a weekend of events, festivals and fun Oct. 10 – 11 when the Last 100 Miles Festival takes place. A total of 13 communities along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois will honor the Mother Road with events all weekend long.

Take a road trip along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in southwest Illinois and discover the Giants of Granite City along with the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in Granite City. Walk across the Mississippi River on the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Dine out at iconic Route 66 diners including Weezy’s in Hamel, the Ariston Café and Jubelt’s Bakery & Restaurant, both in Litchfield, Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard, and the Twistee Treat Diner in Livingston. Visit the revitalized West End Service Station in Edwardsville and the blast from the past Soulsby Service Station in Mt. Olive.

Route 66 in southwest Illinois stands as both the birthplace of the iconic highway and a living tribute to America’s spirit of travel, resilience, and discovery. From its historic beginnings in Chicago to its charming small towns and preserved roadside landmarks, the region offers an authentic glimpse into the road’s enduring legacy. As communities along the route continue to celebrate and revitalize its heritage, Route 66 remains not just a highway, but a shared story—inviting travelers from around the world to experience its history, culture, and timeless appeal.

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(The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is a certified Destination Marketing Organization serving Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin, Montgomery and Greene counties and East St. Louis in St. Clair County. The bureau is dedicated to educating visitors about the region by providing information regarding the area’s history, unique landmarks, recreational opportunities, leisure attractions, special events and scenic marvels.)