90 Miles of Family Fun Scheduled for May 4 & 5th!
The 7th Annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival will take place on May 4 & 5, 2013. This year's event will feature the 13 towns situated along historic Old Route 66 - from Joliet to Towanda, IL. During the festival each town plans its individual events, while all of the towns collaborate on making a special commemorative collectible item that can be collected and treasured for years to come. This year the commemorative piece is trading cards - be sure to collect all 13!
The Red Carpet Corridor was the brainchild of the late Pontiac Tourism director, Betty Estes. Estes firmly believed that old Route 66 should be preserved and celebrated for all that the old road meant to both the area and the nation. Beginning in 2006, the Red Carpet Corridor communities grew to encompass a 90-mile section of the Mother Road. Representatives from each town gathered together and planned a weekend event that would encourage Route 66 enthusiasts to travel along the road and visit the unique communities. The Red Carpet Corridor Festival was born! As each new festival is planned, more and more events are added to enhance the festival experience for the visitor. This year, the thirteen communities will feature car shows, art displays, contests, great food, live entertainment, and much more.
Joliet - Saturday & Sunday: The Route 66 Visitor's Center at the Joliet Area Historical Museum will be open from 8AM to 5PM on Saturday and noon to 5PM on Sunday. Free admission to the Route 66 Experience portion of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Discounted rates will be available on these days for RCC attendees desiring to experience the Museum's galleries. Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet, (815) 723-5201 ext 226.
Elwood - Saturday: Cruise N' Swap at Elwood Village Hall 401 E. Mississippi Avenue: Cruisn' Elwood on Rt. 66-classic car show and cruise through the NASCAR racetrack, drag strip and Autobahn car club. Have your photo taken in the NASCAR Winner's Circle. All classic cars welcome - Mustangs will be featured. Cruise at 1 PM. THE SWAP: 7 AM-Noon. $10 per space. Are You Elwood? We're searching for our favorite Blues Brother! Show us you're Elwood, and we'll take your mug shot before you leave town. Saturday and Sunday: Find the Elwood Geocache. Don't miss our Children's Garden at Lloyd Erickson Park. This is a must stop on any Route 66 tour. 815-423-5011.
Wilmington - Saturday - Walk the red carpet bridge with celebrities, souvenir photo under gazebo, downtown flea market, music, Hula & hound contests, food. Scavenger hunt Elwood to Braceville by clue or Geocache at www.geocaching.com. Clues available at tent Water & Jackson Street. Sunday - North Island park check-in, baby back rib cook-off, morning worship service, cupcake contest, children's games and more. 815-476-5991.
Braidwood - Saturday & Sunday: Extended flea market, baked goods, Annual Lions Club Broom Sale, beautiful hanging baskets, craft displays, lot of flea market items. Stop and enjoy our festivities introducing our Zoo!! Scavenger hunt from Elwood to Braceville by clue or geocache coordinate at www.geocaching.com. Clues will be available at the Chamber/Historical society Booth: 815-353-3053
Godley - Saturday & Sunday: The Park District has its own petting zoo and beautiful grounds. Godley Mining Museum will be open to show off its mining artifacts and information about local mines. Saturday Only: Car Show, flea Market, Craft fair?food and fun!
Braceville - Saturday & Sunday: Visit Braceville on your way down the Corridor to see the History of Braceville and stock up on some wonderful baked goods prepared by the Church, maybe enjoy them thru your scenic drive through Mazonia State Park. Join us for the Scavenger Hunt from Elwood to Braceville by clue or geocache coordinates at www.geocaching.com clues for Braceville located at the Braceville Village Office for information call 815-237-8655.
Gardner - Saturday & Sunday: Meet & Greet at the diner car & historic jail.
Dwight - Saturday Only: Fun, Games, Food, Vendors, Carnival Rides, Live entertainment, 3rd Annual BBQ cook -off at Bassett Park. Saturday & Sunday: town-wide garage sales, Junk in the Trunk, Dogs on Parade, Route 66 Wayside Exhibits, Texaco Welcome Center. 815-584-3077.
Odell - Saturday & Sunday: Visit the historic 1932 Standard Oil gas station - pick up your FREE GIFT too! Souvenirs, soda & nostalgia! Saturday Only, Car Show/Cruise In, Outdoor Movie at Dusk, Concession Stand, Bags Tournament, Bounce House & Other Inflatables, Kids Games, Talent Show/D.J., and Bingo. In case of inclement weather most activities will be held in the St. Paul School Gym. All proceeds benefit the students of St. Paul School. 815-998-2194.
Pontiac - Saturday & Sunday: Grand Opening of the Preservation Exhibit at the Route 66 Museums! Jolly Trolley Rides - 11 AM to 3 PM. Photo contest judging; Artist, Tang Dongbai will be painting a mural in downtown; Four Free Museums, garage sales galore. The Livingston County Humane Society is sponsoring a flea market at Old Log Cabin. Saturday Only: Art Show; Live music from the 1942 Allstars perform on the square; Touch-A-Truck at the Rec Center. Saturday Night: Vermillion Players "At the Hop" Musical Review and Ice cream social in Chautauqua Park. Sunday Only: Live performance from the Dancenter; Kids' Games in the afternoon. 815-844-5847.
Chenoa - Saturday: Carnival, vendors, live bands and the Chenoa 4th of July Committee's Pork Chops. Sunday: Carnival and entertainer Anjanel Folkens. Everything's happening in Downtown Chenoa. 815-945-7779.
Lexington - Saturday: On old Rt 66, Vintage Tractor Show 9 AM www.lexingtontractorshow.com, Zoo Lady face painting FREE 10 to 3, FREE Entertainment tent featuring Elvis, Both days the children's game room, children's free inflatable rides Flea Market, food, Family activities all weekend. Sunday: Free Unique Balloon twist, 11 to 2, the band Forgiven. For more information - 309 365 3331.
Towanda - Saturday & Sunday: Flea market, Area Garage Sales, Antiques, Food, Crafts, Wildstyle Design Co. Face Painting & Route 66 Memorabilia at North Park. Saturday Only: Unique Twist Balloons from 12-4pm and a Cake Walk at 1:00pm. Sunday Only: Car Show on Old Route 66, for information call 815-579-6452. Cattle Bandits Band to play at 1:00 pm at North Park. Be sure and check out DK's Garage & Joe's Garage. Come visit for 2 days of family fun! For information on festival call 309-728-2169.
For information regarding the festival, contact: Ellie Alexander, Director, Pontiac Tourism, 815-844-5847 tourism@pontiac.org
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The 7th Annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival will take place on May 4 & 5, 2013. This year's event will feature the 13 towns situated along historic Old Route 66 - from Joliet to Towanda, IL. During the festival each town plans its individual events, while all of the towns collaborate on making a special commemorative collectible item that can be collected and treasured for years to come. This year the commemorative piece is trading cards - be sure to collect all 13!
The Red Carpet Corridor was the brainchild of the late Pontiac Tourism director, Betty Estes. Estes firmly believed that old Route 66 should be preserved and celebrated for all that the old road meant to both the area and the nation. Beginning in 2006, the Red Carpet Corridor communities grew to encompass a 90-mile section of the Mother Road. Representatives from each town gathered together and planned a weekend event that would encourage Route 66 enthusiasts to travel along the road and visit the unique communities. The Red Carpet Corridor Festival was born! As each new festival is planned, more and more events are added to enhance the festival experience for the visitor. This year, the thirteen communities will feature car shows, art displays, contests, great food, live entertainment, and much more.
Joliet - Saturday & Sunday: The Route 66 Visitor's Center at the Joliet Area Historical Museum will be open from 8AM to 5PM on Saturday and noon to 5PM on Sunday. Free admission to the Route 66 Experience portion of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Discounted rates will be available on these days for RCC attendees desiring to experience the Museum's galleries. Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet, (815) 723-5201 ext 226.
Elwood - Saturday: Cruise N' Swap at Elwood Village Hall 401 E. Mississippi Avenue: Cruisn' Elwood on Rt. 66-classic car show and cruise through the NASCAR racetrack, drag strip and Autobahn car club. Have your photo taken in the NASCAR Winner's Circle. All classic cars welcome - Mustangs will be featured. Cruise at 1 PM. THE SWAP: 7 AM-Noon. $10 per space. Are You Elwood? We're searching for our favorite Blues Brother! Show us you're Elwood, and we'll take your mug shot before you leave town. Saturday and Sunday: Find the Elwood Geocache. Don't miss our Children's Garden at Lloyd Erickson Park. This is a must stop on any Route 66 tour. 815-423-5011.
Wilmington - Saturday - Walk the red carpet bridge with celebrities, souvenir photo under gazebo, downtown flea market, music, Hula & hound contests, food. Scavenger hunt Elwood to Braceville by clue or Geocache at www.geocaching.com. Clues available at tent Water & Jackson Street. Sunday - North Island park check-in, baby back rib cook-off, morning worship service, cupcake contest, children's games and more. 815-476-5991.
Braidwood - Saturday & Sunday: Extended flea market, baked goods, Annual Lions Club Broom Sale, beautiful hanging baskets, craft displays, lot of flea market items. Stop and enjoy our festivities introducing our Zoo!! Scavenger hunt from Elwood to Braceville by clue or geocache coordinate at www.geocaching.com. Clues will be available at the Chamber/Historical society Booth: 815-353-3053
Godley - Saturday & Sunday: The Park District has its own petting zoo and beautiful grounds. Godley Mining Museum will be open to show off its mining artifacts and information about local mines. Saturday Only: Car Show, flea Market, Craft fair?food and fun!
Braceville - Saturday & Sunday: Visit Braceville on your way down the Corridor to see the History of Braceville and stock up on some wonderful baked goods prepared by the Church, maybe enjoy them thru your scenic drive through Mazonia State Park. Join us for the Scavenger Hunt from Elwood to Braceville by clue or geocache coordinates at www.geocaching.com clues for Braceville located at the Braceville Village Office for information call 815-237-8655.
Gardner - Saturday & Sunday: Meet & Greet at the diner car & historic jail.
Dwight - Saturday Only: Fun, Games, Food, Vendors, Carnival Rides, Live entertainment, 3rd Annual BBQ cook -off at Bassett Park. Saturday & Sunday: town-wide garage sales, Junk in the Trunk, Dogs on Parade, Route 66 Wayside Exhibits, Texaco Welcome Center. 815-584-3077.
Odell - Saturday & Sunday: Visit the historic 1932 Standard Oil gas station - pick up your FREE GIFT too! Souvenirs, soda & nostalgia! Saturday Only, Car Show/Cruise In, Outdoor Movie at Dusk, Concession Stand, Bags Tournament, Bounce House & Other Inflatables, Kids Games, Talent Show/D.J., and Bingo. In case of inclement weather most activities will be held in the St. Paul School Gym. All proceeds benefit the students of St. Paul School. 815-998-2194.
Pontiac - Saturday & Sunday: Grand Opening of the Preservation Exhibit at the Route 66 Museums! Jolly Trolley Rides - 11 AM to 3 PM. Photo contest judging; Artist, Tang Dongbai will be painting a mural in downtown; Four Free Museums, garage sales galore. The Livingston County Humane Society is sponsoring a flea market at Old Log Cabin. Saturday Only: Art Show; Live music from the 1942 Allstars perform on the square; Touch-A-Truck at the Rec Center. Saturday Night: Vermillion Players "At the Hop" Musical Review and Ice cream social in Chautauqua Park. Sunday Only: Live performance from the Dancenter; Kids' Games in the afternoon. 815-844-5847.
Chenoa - Saturday: Carnival, vendors, live bands and the Chenoa 4th of July Committee's Pork Chops. Sunday: Carnival and entertainer Anjanel Folkens. Everything's happening in Downtown Chenoa. 815-945-7779.
Lexington - Saturday: On old Rt 66, Vintage Tractor Show 9 AM www.lexingtontractorshow.com, Zoo Lady face painting FREE 10 to 3, FREE Entertainment tent featuring Elvis, Both days the children's game room, children's free inflatable rides Flea Market, food, Family activities all weekend. Sunday: Free Unique Balloon twist, 11 to 2, the band Forgiven. For more information - 309 365 3331.
Towanda - Saturday & Sunday: Flea market, Area Garage Sales, Antiques, Food, Crafts, Wildstyle Design Co. Face Painting & Route 66 Memorabilia at North Park. Saturday Only: Unique Twist Balloons from 12-4pm and a Cake Walk at 1:00pm. Sunday Only: Car Show on Old Route 66, for information call 815-579-6452. Cattle Bandits Band to play at 1:00 pm at North Park. Be sure and check out DK's Garage & Joe's Garage. Come visit for 2 days of family fun! For information on festival call 309-728-2169.
For information regarding the festival, contact: Ellie Alexander, Director, Pontiac Tourism, 815-844-5847 tourism@pontiac.org
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