Route 66 centennial: Ways you can join a year of celebration

Come November, Arizona will have been a big part of Route 66’s history and mystique for 100 years.

Yes, the route nicknamed America’s Main Street and Mother Road is marking a century of inspiring countless road trips as well as songs, movie backdrops, a TV show and more. 

While Route 66 was officially decommissioned in the 1980s and replaced in Arizona by Interstate 40, this anniversary is a big deal for those of us in the highway business. In this post, we're pointing you to some of the ways Arizona is celebrating:

• The Arizona Office of Tourism has a website celebrating Historic Route 66 and its 385.2-mile path through Northern Arizona (see below for a historic map), which includes 158 unbroken miles between Topock and Crookton Road near Ash Fork. Highlighting the centennial, this site features trip ideas and itineraries, things to do and a free Route 66 Check-in Challenge with must-see spots.   
• Flagstaff is putting on “Route 66 to the Grand Canyon,” a one-act play that “celebrates Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, and the strange, beautiful charm that makes Route 66 a road trip like no other.”
• Motorcycle lovers can enjoy Route 66 Bike Week from April 20-26. Traveling from Needles, California, to Seligman along a surviving stretch of Route 66, this rolling rally benefits Route 66 preservation and its small businesses. 
• Seligman will host its official Route 66 centennial celebration on April 30 with food trucks, live music, book signings and more. 
• On April 31, The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona will kick off a three-day, Route 66 Fun Run from Seligman to Topock. 
• Flagstaff will have its official centennial celebration on June 6. The city promises a full day of live music, performances, sky writing and art installations. Things wrap up with a Movies on the Square showing of Pixar’s “Cars,” which drew inspiration from several Route 66 towns in Arizona. 
• In October, Flagstaff and Kingman will host showings of the feature length documentary “Route 66: The Main Street of America.”
• The Route 66 UltraRun will occur Nov. 14-16. Experienced runners will traverse 140 miles of Route 66 from Seligman to Topock, experiencing the majesty of Arizona. The brave can register here. 

Still not enough? Information about other centennial celebration events can be found on the Historic Route 66 Association website. 

Even 100 years after its creation, Route 66 and its enduring vibe remain vital pieces of Arizona’s culture. I look forward to celebrating with you throughout the year.