Route 66 Centennial Celebration
11/7/2026 | Route 66 State Park | Eureka, MO.
November 2026 marks the 100-year anniversary of the establishment of Route 66. This iconic road was officially recognized and added to the federal highway network on Nov. 11, 1926. In 1933, Route 66 was rerouted through the town of Times Beach. Following the discovery of dioxin contamination at Times Beach in the 1980s, the town was evacuated, and a massive cleanup followed. In 1999, with the cleanup complete, a portion of the former town – and a section of old Route 66 – reopened to the public as Route 66 State Park.
Join us at the park on Saturday, Nov. 7, for this centennial celebration of the original route. The event will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature a variety of family-friendly activities. Admission is free and open to the public.
Event Schedule (Subject to Change):
Registration is required for those who wish to enter a vehicle into the car show or participate in the car cruise. The car show will be split into two sessions: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you would like to have your car on display for the entire show, you must register for both sessions. If you would like to participate in the car cruise, you must sign up for at least the afternoon session. Spectators do not need to register.
| Location | Location Coordinates | Activities | Times | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor center/museum | 38.50575, -90.59092 | Self-guided museum tours featuring the traveling exhibit "From Mud to the Mother Road" | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | n/a |
| Forest Shelter parking lot | 38.50962, -90.60021 | Selfie stations | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | n/a |
| Classic car show | 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Register to enter your vehicle in the morning portion of the car show (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). | ||
| Classic car cruise – Owners of the car show vehicles will drive out of the park, following Hawthorne Road, North Outer Road/old Route 66 and South Outer Road. | 3:30 p.m. | |||
| Playground parking lot | 38.50806, -90.60121 | Live music | 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | n/a |
| Interpretive stations, art project (community Route 66 mural) and vendors (Route 66 merchandise) | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | n/a | ||
| Food trucks | To be determined | n/a | ||
| Hayride – The hayride will depart at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. It will take visitors along Inner Loop Trail. | Noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. | n/a | ||
| Guided hike – The guided hike will start near the playground and use a portion of Outer Loop Trail. | 1 p.m. | n/a |
Route 66 State Park Contact Information:
- Address: 97 N. Outer Road, Eureka, Mo.
- Phone number: 636-938-7198