Route 66 Festival Cruises Back to Edwardsville
Editor | Jun 02, 2010 | Comments 0
By William Krause
An Edwardsville summer tradition, the Route 66 Festival, returns again this year after taking a hiatus in 2009. The 13th Annual Festival set for Friday, June 11 and Saturday June 12 in City Park is a celebration of both community and the historic “Mother Road.”
Friday’s festivities kick off at 5 pm with many local art vendors on site, like Jaimee Hayes, Cathy Schaefer, and the Edwardsville Art Center. There will be a wide assortment of merchandise from jewelry to ceramics and plenty of opportunities to pick up one of a kind items. The evening’s live entertainment will start with the Marquis Knox Blues Band taking center stage at 6:30, followed by the Ground Floor Band (see video below), another blues ensemble, from 9 pm until 11:30 pm. The whole show wraps by midnight.
Story continues below video:
Of course, if you really want to get your kicks on old Route 66, come out Saturday morning starting at 8 am for the 4th Annual Route 66 10K Run/Walk hosted by the Metro Milers Running Club. The course will take runners through some of Edwardsville’s older residential districts and the scenic Madison County Bike Trails.
If running isn’t your thing, take a leisurely drive down memory lane instead. The Historic Edwardsville Trolley Tour begins at 11 am and offers riders a guided glimpse into the past of Illinois’ third oldest city. Each tour lasts an hour and is a fun, relaxing way to learn a little more about the community. Once you’re done with your trolley trip head over to the history tent and take a glimpse at the Route 66 memories exhibit, see if you spot yourself, and while you’re there check out the Historic Preservation Commission’s “Doors” display, an eclectic mix of doors from 1850 to the mid 1900s.
If you want to have your own historic adventure pick up a Stroll-Goer’s Guide to Main Street and chart your own path. Get a quick history glimpse of downtown’s most famous buildings and then head inside to view some original detail and support a local merchant.
And of course, a Route 66 Festival wouldn’t be complete without a classic car cruise. Those Technicolor steel and chrome beauties of the past will depart Lincoln Middle School at 6:30 pm and cruise on past City Park, so don’t forget your lawn chair.
After a day of touring, running, and walking you’re bound to have worked up an appetite and the food selection appears to be promising. Local restaurants such as Fond will be on hand with black & white cookies, pita chips with hummus spread and herbal sodas, while Red’z Rib Shack will be grilling up their classic ribs with tater salad, slaw, and homemade bread, and Annie’s Frozen Custard, of course will be selling their own summer classic, custard. Along with these fine choices you have your Festival staples like Dutch Brothers’ funnel cakes, brats, kettle corn, Italian Ice, lemonade, and enough food to make a Weight Watcher cry. For the adults, Crushed Grapes will be on hand to serve craft beers and wine.
Music is that last integral piece that brings the whole Festival together and this year’s offerings is a mixture of local talent. The Municipal Band starts Saturday at 11 am, followed by a showcase of local talent beginning at 12:30. At 2:30 pm, Exit 12 performs with Blue 66 coming on stage at 4 pm. Fanfare goes on at 6:30 pm, and lastly Cruzen performs from 9 pm to 11:30 pm, bringing this year’s Festival to a close.
The Route 66 Festival looks to promise good food, good music, and great fun. But for many people around town and even farther abroad, the Festival will offer a certain type of nostalgia when they see those tail-finned cars cruise by. The mythology surrounding Route 66 harkens back to a time when gas was cheap, adventures were a calling to be undertaken, and the open road offered endless opportunities for freedom.
Related posts:
Filed Under: Featured
