Featured
Events
Calendar of Events
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1 event,
Step aboard Route 66 SUBMERGED, a 45-minute interpretive boat tour on Lake Springfield that reveals a hidden chapter of America’s most iconic highway. Beneath the surface lies a stretch of Springfield’s original Route 66 alignment, submerged when Sugar Creek was dammed in 1933. Guided by local storytellers this immersive journey blends history, nature, and narrative—offering… |
2 events,
Route 66: The Main Street of America will premiere as a moving celebration: a cross-country film screening tour down Historic Route 66. Partnering with local entities along the historic highway (Main Street programs, downtown associations, tourism bureaus and chambers of commerce), we’ll screen the film at 40+ events at select drive-ins and historic theaters from Chicago to… |
4 events,
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Route 66 Centennial Celebration & Drone Show at Rader Family Farms, presented by VisitBN and Sponsored by Rivian. Get your kicks on Route 66 and experience: - 12-acre Route 66 themed Corn Maze- 10am-6pm ($)- Diner-style eats and drinks ($)- Over 50 fun-filled activities- 10am-6pm ($)- Cruise-In Classic Cars & Donuts Show - 4pm -…
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CALLING ALL ROUTE 66 FANS.... Tickets are on sale... Will we see you at the Old Joliet Prison on September 4th for the Route 66: The Main Street of America documentary screening? Enjoy a self-guided tour of the prison before hand and settle in for the screening and Q&A that follow. See the link below… |
5 events,
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A bit of Renaissance on Route 66 at Historic Route 66 Flea Market: Returning to the Renaissance for our second year! FREE ENTRY! Come see the Fairy Queen and follow the clues of her Quest to earn your place as a Knight of the Court! The Kingdom of the Broken Crown will also be there…
Free
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Celebrate the centennial of a truly legendary highway with a special screening of ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA—a powerfully moving new feature-length documentary that follows the road, sharing unforgettable stories of the people and towns we meet along the way. From unexpected roadside attractions to revitalized main streets, each encounter reveals communities finding…
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You are invited to Ryburn Place at Sprague's Super Service, 305 Pine Street in Normal (now rescheduled after the previous rain out date)! Join us 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 for a Route 66 Centennial Parking Lot Party featuring the rockabilly stylings of Union Avenue. Ryburn Place Gifts and Gab will be open for… |
4 events,
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Pontiac, IL: You've never heard violin like this! The world's premier visionary violinist, Dixon's life mission is to inspire people - and he has done so across North America, including giving four TED talks/performances, over ten years at Burning Man, plus radio, TV, and film appearances. Dixon’s Violin continues his HUMANKINDness tour on Sunday, September…
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One hundred years after Route 66 first connected communities across America, a new feature-length documentary invites audiences to discover the people and places keeping its story alive – including Bloomington-Normal and Central Illinois. “ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA,” a documentary by award-winning filmmaker John Paget, begins its Roadshow on September 1, 2026, in Chicago,… |
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3 events,
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Celebrate the centennial of a truly legendary highway with a special screening of ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA—a powerfully moving new feature-length documentary that follows the road, sharing unforgettable stories of the people and towns we meet along the way.From unexpected roadside attractions to revitalized main streets, each encounter reveals communities finding new life… |
3 events,
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Get your kicks on Route 66 with an awesome movie about the Mother Road From the mind of John Paget, come out to the Drive-In to see "Route 66 The Main Street of America" a chronicle depicting and showcasing Route 66. From their website: Route 66: The Main Street of America will premiere as a… |
3 events,
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2026 Small Town Dreamers Market on the Square in Farmersville, IL Hosted by @shoptherootedhome “Let’s root for each other & watch each other grow.” 2026 Dates September 12th 9am-1pm Vendors-Live Music-Food We are located just a couple minutes off of I-55, exit 72, on Farmersville’s charming square. You will find us on Elevator St right…
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Introducing PaintFest! A collaboration between Strong Towns Blono, Derp Enterprises, & Normandy Village made possible by support from BLICK Art Materials, VisitBN, and Town of Normal. Saturday, September 12 8:30am Artist Load In 9:00am Live Painting Starts 10:00am-4:00pm PaintFest Open to the General Public (Free admission. No registration required.) Artist Vendors - 10:00am-4:00pm Bay Area Mexicana… |
2 events,
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The 2026 Litchfield Pickers Market returns on the second Sunday of each month, May to October, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. This popular regional market features a juried antique sale with live music all day and plenty of street food. You'll also enjoy the adjoining Monroe Street market area with talented artisan and farmers market vendors. Plus,… |
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2 events,
Red, White, and Blue-Hundred Fifty Years! Welcome to Dwight Harvest Days, where we're combining our usual start-of-Fall fun with a special celebration of 250 years since the United States declared its independence. Join us September 17-20, 2026, for a weekend filled with carnival rides, a Basset Waddle, live entertainment, and plenty of patriotic fun in… |
3 events,
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Important Update: Unfortunately, the Centennial Plaza grand opening for Friday, September 18, has been cancelled. The City of Pontiac apologizes for the inconvenience and to everyone who was planning to attend. Please stay tuned to Visit Pontiac social media channels for future updates regarding this event. Please join us at the grand opening of Centennial… |
6 events,
Bicycle Illinois is excited to introduce the Route 66 Ride, a new week-long cycling tour traveling from the St. Louis area to Chicagoland along the legendary Old Route 66. This tour is still in development, and registration is not yet open, but riders are encouraged to stay tuned for updates as plans continue to progress.… 
Cruise into Pontiac for the GTOAA All Pontiac Car Cruise and Show on September 19 – 20, 2026! Hosted by the Heart of Illinois GTO Club and Gateway GTO Club, the show will take place from 9:00AM–5:00PM Saturday and Sunday outside the Pontiac-Oakland Auto Museum. This Centennial Certified Event will be a special celebration of…
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Main Street Mingle season is officially ready for vendor sign-ups — and trust us, this year is going to be BIG. With themed events, our Renaissance edition, and the massive Route 66 Centennial Celebration closing out the season, you’re going to want in on this one. Location: Old Route 66 – Virden Town Square 9…
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From Home to House Museum explores the transformation of a private residence into a public historic site. This lecture walks through each stage of the process—from new construction and adapting the site for public visitors, to documenting and inventorying its contents, to thoughtfully curating spaces for public interpretation. Attendees will gain insight into how everyday… |
5 events,
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The 15th Annual All Pontiac Car Show in Pontiac, Illinois is revving up for a double Centennial celebration! In 2026, both Route 66 and the Pontiac automobile brand mark 100 years—and this car show honors them both in one exciting weekend. The main event takes place Sunday, September 20, 2026, with a full lineup of… |
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3 events,
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September 22 is the first annual National Scenic Byway Day, a new nationwide observance created by the National Scenic Byway Association to encourage travelers to explore America's designated scenic, historic, and culturally rich roads. Celebrate the open road, leave major highways behind, and discover local communities, history, and landscapes. Milestone Year: Scope: Ways to Celebrate… |
6 events,
Tammi’s Treasures Antiques & More and Sweet Pea’s Antiques & More Fall Sale! Sept. 25-27 10% Off Everything! Register to win a tabletop Blackstone! Open Daily 10-5:30 Exit 82 Off I55 (Pawnee/Auburn)exit 
The 25th Annual Route 66 Mother Road Festival is September 25-27, 2026. The cars, the music, the fun and nostalgia that Route 66 has brought to generations will return for another year, rolling into historic downtown Springfield in September. Admission is FREE for spectators. The show is locally managed by Greg “Coop” and Sue Cooper,…
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The Elkhart Illinois Historical Society invites the public to Lincoln: The Man, The Myth, The Legend, a dinner lecture presented by Rick Klinedinst, exploring the many myths and conflicting stories about the events that took place during Lincoln’s Lifetime. For instance, did he have a dream about his death just days before his assassination? Were bankers behind…
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Come on out each Fourth Friday in Gillespie! September 25th will continue the series with another street fair on Chestnut St. between Macoupin & Montgomery. The Lions Club will be selling food on Chestnut, Diskey the Wonder Dog will perform at UCB, and Lumpy’s will have live music. Gillespie downtown will also be open later.…
Free
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4 events,
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Hosted by the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66, this annual celebration honors the legendary artists, broadcasters, and industry leaders who shaped Illinois’ rich musical heritage. The one‑night‑only event features unforgettable live performances, special guest appearances, and historic moments as new inductees are welcomed into the Hall of Fame. A signature Route 66… |
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2 events,
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BLOOMINGTON, IL — Local artist galleries and studios will host a free Children’s Art Scavenger Hunt during Downtown Bloomington’s First Friday celebration on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Designed for children ages 4 through junior high, the event encourages young participants to explore participating downtown galleries and match specific art forms… |
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