History
Events for September 19, 2026
Bicycle Illinois Route 66 Ride
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.…
Route 66 Bob Waldmire Art Exhibit at The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space
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 Photographic Exhibition by David J. Schwartz
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…
“Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” Exhibit at Illinois State Museum
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…
Route 66 Submerged: A Sunken Road. A Story Resurfaced.
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…
Dwight Harvest Days/Basset Bash & Waddle
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…
Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market
Downtown Bloomington 115 E Washington St, BloomingtonMarket 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…
2026 Main Street Mingle in Virden
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…
GTOAA All Pontiac Regional Car Cruise & Show
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…
From Home to House Museum JAHM Presentation
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…