American Giants Museum Grand Opening Events on Memorial Day Weekend

Featured activities on Friday, May 24, include the arrival and installation of a 24′ tall Texaco Big Friend giant, one of only six remaining from the original 300 produced by International Fiberglass Company in the mid 1960s. The Texaco Big Friend will be placed on the west side of the American Giants Museum, directly next to Atlanta’s original 1926 alignment of Route 66. When in place, the Texaco Big Friend will be 7′ taller than the Museum building itself and 4′ taller than the Bunyon Giant on the next block. An original Viking Carpet Giant will also be installed on Friday, May 24. The Viking Carpet Giant will stand on a concrete pad on the east side of the American Giants Museum in the Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop area, where its brother giant, the Snerd, is already located. The public is invited to watch as these giants are put in place (specific installation times to be announced the week before).

A Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 26, at 2 p.m. at the American Giants Museum. The public is invited to make it an afternoon event, as food will be available in Atlanta’s Xenia Park (across the street) starting at noon. The options available include a BBQ food truck, grilled ribeye, pork chop and/or brat sandwiches from a sidewalk vendor, as well as meals at Atlanta’s Country Aire Restaurant and Chubby’s Bar & Grill.

Missy’s Sweet Shop at the Palms Grill Cafe will feature “giant” specials made just for the occasion. At 12:30 p.m., Joel Baker, of American Giants, LLC will be present for a Q&A session, to sign autographs, and to offer several American Giant Museum related souvenirs for purchase.

Throughout the weekend, visitors are invited to check out Atlanta's other attractions including the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum, the Atlanta Coal Mining Company Historical Mine, the Atlanta Museum, the Atlanta Route 66 Construction Exhibit, and shops.

Additional details are provided on the American Giants Museum website and the American Giants Facebook page.

The American Giants Museum was designed and developed as a partnership between American Giants founder, Joel Baker, and the Atlanta Betterment Fund organization. The project received assistance from the City of Atlanta, the Illinois Department of Tourism, and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Program. Several years ago, Baker approached the Atlanta Betterment Fund organization with the idea of creating an American Giants Museum. Baker’s collection of giants, sales materials, files, photos, and other documents from International Fiberglass are the basis for the museum’s exhibits, giving Route 66 tourists the chance to see, learn about, and interact with what will be the largest single collection of American Giants anywhere along Route 66.

The Atlanta Betterment Fund is a 501 (c)(3) organization, established in 2008 through private donations and administered by a board of directors. Its mission is to make Atlanta a better place to live by supporting its business, civic, and religious organizations.

American Giants Museum
Grand Opening Events Schedule

Friday, May 24, 2024
– 10am – 4pm American Giants Museum Open
– Installation of the Texaco Big Friend Giant – specific time TBD.
– Installation of the Viking Carpet Giant – specific time TBD.
– Bring lawn chairs and watch from across the street at Xenia Park as these giants are installed.

Saturday, May 25, 2024
– 10am-1:00pm American Giants Museum Open.
– 2pm-3:30pm

Sunday, May 26, 2024
– 10am-4pm American Giants Museum Open
– Noon-3pm – Lunch in Xenia Park and the Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop at the American Giants Museum
– Phat Daddy’s BBQ Food Truck – Pulled pork, Brisket, etc. – At Xenia Park, Arch & Vine Streets
– Polen Grilling – Grilled Ribeye and Porkchop Sandwiches & Brats – At Xenia Park, Arch & Vine Streets
– Chubby’s Bar & Grill – Fresh daily hamburgers, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches & More – 111 SE Vine St, Atlanta, IL
– Country Aire Restaurant – Family Restaurant, Daily Specials, Homemade Pie – 608 E South St, Atlanta, IL
– Missy’s Sweet Shop – Cookies & Baked Goods – 110 SW Arch Street, Atlanta, Illinois
– Atlanta Christian Church Mission Team Bake Sale – Lots of homemade baked goods!
– 12:30pm – The Man Behind the Giants – A Conversation with Joel Baker – Join Joel in the Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop Area, next to the AGM, for a Q&A session about all things Giants and the American Giants Museum.
– 2pm — American Giants Museum Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting – Remarks from Joel Baker, American Giants, LLC,
along with local dignitaries.

Overnight Accommodations

ATLANTA
– The Trail Inn – 108 Empire Street, Atlanta, IL
– Hickory Lane Campground: 2100 12137th Ave, Atlanta, IL

NEARBY
– Airbnb & Motels available in McLean, IL – 4 miles; Lincoln, IL – 10 miles