The Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission will host the National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration in Springfield from April 30 to May 3. The event will take place at various venues across the city, with a two-hour parade scheduled on Route 66 (St. Louis Street) from Glenstone to Campbell on Friday, May 1, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The celebration is expected to draw large crowds and will feature activities at Park Central East at Jefferson, Great Southern Bank Arena, Historic Commercial Street, Historic Walnut Street, Hotel Vandivort, and the Shrine Mosque. Event organizers say road closures will be minimal but advise attendees to plan parking ahead of time and allow extra time for walking or using shuttles.
A special broadcast of the TODAY Show’s third hour is also planned during the festivities. Audience gates for this event will open around 5 a.m., with entry closing by about 6 a.m., and reservations are required for attendance. Registered participants will receive additional instructions from TODAY Show staff next week.
Several streets in downtown Springfield will close temporarily to accommodate festival events. Park Central East from the Square to Jefferson is set to close from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday evening. Jefferson Avenue between Olive and McDaniel closes Wednesday night through Thursday evening as well. For parking information during these closures, visitors are directed to route66kickoff.com/guide/.
Commercial Street between Robberson and Benton will be closed from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon for the Red, White & Bridge Bash street festival and classic car show; registration for this car show has reached capacity. Free parking lots with shuttle service along Boonville Avenue are available at City Utilities (1629 N. Boonville), General Assemblies of God (1445 N. Boonville), Cox North Hospital (1445 N. Robberson), and Central Assembly of God (1330 N. Boonville). Additional free parking within walking distance includes lots operated by Victory Mission (1709 N. Boonville), City Job Center locations on North Boonville, as well as public lots on North Campbell and North Jefferson.
Parade registration has closed due to full capacity; St. Louis Street from Glenstone to Campbell will be shut down Friday evening for the parade festivities near Birthplace Plaza where bleachers are provided for spectators.
Springfield focuses on ethical local governance aimed at community benefit according to its official website. The city operates under a council-manager government adopted in 1953 with nine council members responsible for policy direction according to its official website. Efforts in historic preservation continue throughout Springfield’s recognized landmarks according to its official website.
Springfield was also an important site during American history as it hosted the Battle of Wilson’s Creek in 1861—a major Civil War engagement—and played a role in establishing Route 66 through its public square according to its official website. Serving as Greene County’s seat in southwestern Missouri according to its official website, Springfield was established after John Polk Campbell donated land in the early nineteenth century before incorporating as a town in 1838 according to its official website.
Organizers encourage all participants and visitors attending any part of these celebrations or parades—whether joining early morning broadcasts or enjoying arts festivals—to review maps online ahead of arrival.
