Chicago, September 04, 2026 – The Route 66 Centennial celebration is officially rolling.
Following a sold-out world premiere that drew nearly 900 people to the Art Institute of Chicago on September 1, ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA is continuing its journey across Illinois before heading into Missouri and on through the remaining Route 66 states.
The Illinois leg of the Centennial Roadshow continues September 4 to 10, with stops at the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site in Joliet, the Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center in Pontiac, the Normal Theater in Normal, Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield, and the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville. From historic sites and classic theaters to a Route 66 drive-in, each stop offers audiences a unique way to celebrate the Mother Road in the communities that helped make it legendary.
“The Centennial Roadshow is off to a great start, and I’m blown away by the response,” said director John Paget. “Illinois is really coming out to play. There’s an incredible amount of pride and excitement around Route 66, and it’s been amazing to experience that with audiences. It’s just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see everyone in the other seven states.”
That response was echoed by audience members at the sold-out Chicago premiere.
“This documentary is a beautiful celebration of what unites us as Americans across a vast and varied landscape: our history, our pluralism, and the importance of our small businesses and communities,” said premiere attendee Jonathan Schwart.
The Centennial Roadshow will make its way into Missouri on September 11, beginning with the Missouri state premiere at the Hi-Pointe Theatre in St. Louis, followed by a September 12 screening at the historic Gillioz Theatre in Springfield — a Route 66 landmark that, like the highway itself, dates to 1926.
The Gillioz opened its doors the same year Route 66 was established, making the Springfield screening a particularly fitting celebration during the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary year.
The Roadshow will then continue west with stops at the Cowan Civic Center Theater in Lebanon on September 14 and the Route 66 Theater in Webb City on September 15, with both matinee and evening screenings offered.
Each stop gives local audiences the opportunity to experience ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA on the big screen and, as part of the Centennial Roadshow experience, hear directly from Paget and ask questions about the film, his decades of documenting Route 66 and the people and places featured in the documentary.
That personal connection is at the heart of the Centennial Roadshow. Paget is traveling with the film, bringing it back to the communities along Route 66 and meeting the people who continue to shape its story.
The Chicago world premiere may have sold out, but the Route 66 Centennial celebration is just getting started. Audiences across Illinois, Missouri and the remaining Route 66 states are encouraged to get tickets when the Centennial Roadshow comes to their hometown or state.
See the Mother Road on the big screen. See your community’s place in its story. And get the chance to ask the man who made the film — filmmaker and longtime Route 66 chronicler John Paget — your questions.
Following Missouri, the Centennial Roadshow will continue through the remaining Route 66 states before concluding in Los Angeles on November 7.
Tickets and upcoming screening information are available at:
www.MainStreetofAmerica.com/screenings
About the Film
ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA is a feature-length documentary written and directed by John Paget celebrating the centennial of America’s most legendary highway. Through the stories of entrepreneurs, preservationists, community leaders, artists, historians and everyday heroes, the film captures the resilience, creativity and enduring spirit of the people and places carrying Route 66 forward.
