History
Events
Calendar of Events
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4 events,
In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Route 66, The Pharmacy will host a special Bob Waldmire Art Exhibit Bob Waldmire - Nomadic Hippie, gifted artist, and Route 66 icon. Immerse yourself in the legend's creative expressions and awe-inspiring attention to detail, celebrating the nostalgia and culture of Route 66. Springfield native Bob Waldmire was… 
Route 66: The Road That Takes You — Springfield Edition is a photography exhibition by Lakewood, Ohio photographer David J. Schwartz, whose work was selected for the official USPS Route 66 Centennial commemorative stamps. For more than two decades, Schwartz has traveled the length of Route 66, documenting the people, places, and quiet moments that…
Free
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Museum (ISM) invites the public to get their kicks at a new “Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” exhibit May 23, 2026 - April 4, 2027. The exhibition brings to life the experience of living, working and traveling along U.S. Route 66 during its heyday. The exhibit incorporates the… 
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… |
5 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… |
5 events, |
5 events, |
7 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… |
7 events,
Market Day is calling! The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a vibrant, community-centered market that brings together local farmers, artisans, and small businesses in the heart of the city. Held seasonally in historic Downtown Bloomington, the market offers a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, handcrafted items, and specialty foods—all sourced…
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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… |
6 events,
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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… |
5 events, |
6 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… |
5 events, |
6 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… |
9 events,
Market Day is calling! The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a vibrant, community-centered market that brings together local farmers, artisans, and small businesses in the heart of the city. Held seasonally in historic Downtown Bloomington, the market offers a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, handcrafted items, and specialty foods—all sourced…
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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…
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Join the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Monarch Project, and a host of community partners as we celebrate Illinois' state insect, and everyone's favorite garden visitor, the… |
5 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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5 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… |
6 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… |
10 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…
Market Day is calling! The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a vibrant, community-centered market that brings together local farmers, artisans, and small businesses in the heart of the city. Held…
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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…
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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… |
8 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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5 events, |
6 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… |
5 events, |
6 events,
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This is going to be one for the books! Motorheads proud to be included in the 100 year celebration of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival! We’ll be headlining the Pre-Fest to kick off the festivities!!! Richrath Project REO plays the music of REO, Honoring the legendary Gary Richrath! Opening band, Union Avenue is a… |
8 events,
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…
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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…
Free
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7 events,
Market Day is calling! The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a vibrant, community-centered market that brings together local farmers, artisans, and small businesses in the heart of the city. Held… |
6 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… |
5 events,
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SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will offer a double dose of Mary Lincoln on Oct. 1 when best-selling author Lois Romano discusses her Mary Lincoln biography… |
6 events,
OCTOBER 2nd - OCTOBER 31st Fridays & Saturdays Only AREA 66 HAUNTED SCHOOL HAUNTS HOSTED BY: THE PINK ELEPHANT ANTIQUE MALL EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT 7PM - 11PM | $20.00 -PHOTO OPS -MERCH -FREE PARKING TICKETS: area66hauntedschool.fearticket.com Dare to enter the spookiest school in town! Area 66 Haunted School brings chills, thrills, and hair-raising…
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BLOOMINGTON-A Witches and Wizards Night Out: Witches and Wizards Night Out will take place from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, in Historic Downtown Bloomington, IL DANCING DOWN… Old Route 66. Guests, (Young & Old) are asked to dress up in their best witches and wizards costumes for our fourth annual family-friendly event. A dance and… |
5 events,
Market Day is calling! The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a vibrant, community-centered market that brings together local farmers, artisans, and small businesses in the heart of the city. Held seasonally in historic Downtown Bloomington, the market offers a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, handcrafted items, and specialty foods—all sourced… |