Welcome to Alignments, your guide to the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and its members! In every issue, we’re steering you toward exciting events, hidden gems, and must-know updates along Illinois Route 66. Whether you’re heading out on the road soon or you're just a Route 66 enthusiast, we’ve got the inside scoop on everything that makes this stretch of the Mother Road unforgettable.
So, grab your map, rev your engine, and let’s hit the road together as we explore the vibrant history and modern charm of Illinois Route 66!
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Featured Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Member
Rader Family Farms
Normal, IL
Rader Family Farms is a 4th-generation family farm built on hard work, faith, and a love for agriculture. Our roots date back to 1935 when our family farm was known as the Plainview Guernsey Dairy Farm. For decades, our family milked cows and raised crops to feed our herd, with little going to market. Our dad, Lynn Rader, and his six younger siblings grew up on the farm, showing cows in 4-H and embracing the daily demands of dairy life.
In 1971, after the passing of our grandfather, Glenn Rader, the cows were sold, and our farm transitioned to grain production. Since then, we have grown into a 2,400-acre grain farm, harvesting corn and soybeans across McLean and surrounding counties. Today Arin Rader, leads the grain farming operation with support from Lynn, Adam Rader, and a hardworking team.
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Rader Family Farms 1312 Ropp Road Normal, IL 61761 (309) 454-6880 https://raderfamilyfarms.com/
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Dance Through the Decades Fundraiser! |
Get ready to foxtrot, disco, and electric slide the night away for a dance through the decades of Route 66! Join in for this blast through the heyday of the Mother Road as a benefit for the “Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” exhibit at the Illinois State Museum!
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The Big Texan Steak Ranch® Launches Iconic 72oz Steak Challenge Road Show for the Route 66 Centennial |
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In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the historic Route 66, the Big Texan Steak Ranch is taking its world-famous 72oz Steak Challenge on the road, including Chicago, Joliet and Springfield.
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"Main Street of America" Route 66 Centennial Caravan |
"Main Street of America" Route 66 Centennial Caravan – from California to Illinois on the Mother Road!
The complete tour is June 5th through June 24th. The Illinois portion of the caravan is June 23rd & 24th.
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STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas to Headline Route 66 Centennial Celebration in Springfield! |
Springfield, IL - Legendary rock band STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas will headline The Route 66 Centennial Celebration on November 11, 2026, at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex in Springfield, Illinois.
As part of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Statewide Conference and Route 66 Centennial Celebration, the day will culminate in an electrifying evening concert inside the Motordome, bringing high-energy, arena-level rock to the heart of the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary.
“This is an extraordinary occasion, and we’re excited to bring together the Route 66 community to celebrate the 100-year history of the Mother Road, recognize its champions, and share its enduring legacy with the world,” said Casey Claypool, Executive Director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
The Route 66 Centennial Celebration begins at 6pm and features STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas, along with food, and festivities. Tickets are $150 per person and space is limited.
Ticket price includes dinner, dessert, late-night appetizers, non-alcoholic drinks, and the concert experience.
This is a small-capacity venue; not a massive concert hall or crowded arena. A very limited number of tickets will be sold to preserve the close, personal atmosphere and create a unique experience for every guest.
Purchase tickets by clicking here.
Learn More...
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2026 Great Race Starting Point in Springfield at Old State Capitol Saturday June 20th! |
The Hemmings Great Race event kicks off at the Old State Capitol from 9:30am – 1pm. The race hits Main Street in Collinsville at 4pm and then will overnight there.
The Great Race is an antique, vintage, and collector car competitive controlled-speed endurance road rally on public highways. It is not a test of top speed.
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World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival in Collinsville Saturday June 20th! |
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Featuring the Giant Idaho Potato Truck Tour! All afternoon long is ketchup tasting, hot dog eating contests, tater tots eating contest, Princess Tomato & Sir Catsup Pageant, hula hoops, water balloons, and so much more! Also Uptown Collinsville will host the Great Catsup Bottle Classic Car Show and the Great Race Route 66 Road Rally!
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Lincoln Presidential Library Welcomes Author of 'Presidential Road Trips' |
Bill Clevlen, author of “Presidential Road Trips: 100 Places to Explore and Experience the History of American Presidents,” will speak at the ALPLM on June 23 at 6:30 p.m. He’ll take the audience from George Washington’s birthplace to the train depot where Jimmy Carter launched his campaign.
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Commemorate 100 Years of the Mother Road with our Illinois Route 66 Centennial Coin! |
This stand-alone collectible honors Illinois; the starting point of Route 66, and the legacy of unforgettable journeys it inspired.
Crafted from high-quality zinc, this 4mm-thick coin features stunning 3D embossing, making it a must-have for collectors and Route 66 fans alike.
Whether you display it, gift it, or add it to your collection, this coin is a timeless tribute to Illinois’ place in Route 66 history.
$30.00/coin - Price includes shipping anywhere in the Continental U.S.
We also have a 13-coin set available for purchase, details or to purchase, click here!
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Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Launches Commemorative Visitor Guide and Business Directory for Centennial!
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road with the release of a special commemorative Visitor Guide and Business Directory, designed to help travelers explore the rich history, iconic attractions, and vibrant communities along the Illinois portion of Route 66.
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Custom Stand for Centennial Coin Set Now Available! |
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Official Illinois Route 66 Centennial Merch For Sale!
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