Thousands of people are expected to gather in southwest Missouri as Springfield kicks off the centennial Route 66 celebration starting today.
Madison Wood, communications manager for Visit Springfield, says the city is recognized as the official birthplace of Route 66 and that plans are in place for a once in a century celebration.
National television, landmark dedications and live concerts are all part of the celebration. Wood says several big name performers are set to take the stage during the festivities.
“Little Big Town, Chris Jansen, Gary Levox of Rascal Flatts, Gretchen Wilson, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and the Haygoods," Goodman says. "Something special about the concert is that this will be hosted by actor John Goodman. So that is Thursday alone. So, there's so much in store just for the first day of the kickoff.”
Wood says celebrating one hundred years of Route 66 will be huge.
“We're expecting thousands of visitors, not only regionally, but nationally and internationally. Just in the last month, we have seen visitors from around the world with so much interest in Route 66," Wood explains
The Route 66 Centennial kickoff celebration in Springfield runs through the weekend, wrapping up Sunday, with full event details available online at Route66Kickoff.com.
Missourinet