Kansas Route 66 Historic Byway

03/27/2025

03/25/2025

Congratulations to JT's Pro Pressure Washing for being awarded the bid. This is who Route 66 Association of Kansas reached out to to get their quote, before it was presented it to the Cherokee County Commission.

02/24/2025

The painting has begun!

02/21/2025

Thank you to Dale Helwig, for writing the grant, and Cherokee County Commissioners for finding the funds, and the Kansas Route 66 Association for presenting the importance of the Rainbow Bridge , Marsh Arch Bridge, to the Cherokee County Commissioners once again.

Cherokee County Receives Grant for Rainbow Bridge

The Cherokee County Commissioners received a Attraction Development Grant from Kansas Department of Commerce in the amount of $25,000 to help with painting Rainbow Bridge.

In September, the Route 66 Association of Kansas Vice President, Aaron Perry, and Newsletter Editor, Machelle Smith, attended the Cherokee County Commission meeting to discuss the painting of Rainbow Bridge.

They presented information about different grant opportunities, including one from Kansas Historical Society, $100,000 80/20 matching grant, and an Attraction Development Grant by Kansas Department of Commerce. They had completed background work gathering information and pricing about water bead blasting and painting the bridge all in preparation for the Route 66 Centennial in 2026.

The commission approved designating ARPA funds in the amount of $112,500 for maintenance on Rainbow Bridge. Dale Helwig, Cherokee County Economic Development Director, will apply for the grants for the county. If the county is not awarded the grant the funds are available to paint the bridge.

Pictured: County Clerk Rebecca Brassart, Route 66 Association of Kansas President Scott Nelson, Route 66 Association Of Kansas Newsletter Editor Machelle Smith, Commissioner Myra Carlisle, Commissioner Corey Moates, Dean Walker, Kansas Department of Tourism Bridgett Jobe, Mary Billington, Commissioner Lorie Johnson, Cherokee County Economic Development Director Dale Helwig.

01/11/2025

12/20/2024

As many of our members begin their Christmas vacation today, we hope that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their upcoming holidays and is able to relax with their family! Thank you to the many members who had a hand in this design.

12/19/2024

Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Host City Request For Proposals Released

Route 66, USA –The Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, an Official Route 66 Centennial Project recommended by the U.S.
Route 66 Centennial Commission offers a once-in-a century opportunity for a city somewhere along the Mother Road
to receive national and international attention.

Interested entities along Route 66 are invited to submit a proposal to be the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Host City.
Contact Bill Thomas, Chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, for details.

The historic anniversary of the Route 66 Centennial will commence with a live, online media event combined with
on-the- ground celebrations in a community selected as the Official Host of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off. Only
one city will be designated the Official Host of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, providing an exclusive opportunity
to promote itself and attract visitors to its own Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off events and activities. Other sites along
Route 66 will be virtually linked to the Host City throughout the online Kick-Off and invited to plan their own on-site
celebrations.

Because of its historical significance, April 30, 2026, is the proposed date for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off. It was
that day in 1926 that "66" was assigned as the official number for a new Chicago to Santa Monica highway.
Discussions regarding the proposed date are underway with Route 66 stakeholders across Route 66 and will include
consultation with the selected Host City to ensure this date works well for the parties involved.

Established in 2016, with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments' Fund, The Route 66 Road
Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through
partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research and education, and economic development.

# # #

Contact:
Bill Thomas, Chairman
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
[email protected]
217-648-5077

Happy Holidays from the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. We appreciate your help in sharing this press release with appropriate media outlets and Route 66 stakeholders.
Thank you and best regards,
Chris Thomas

12/16/2024

Check this out!

12/02/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JeB1a4XdX/

Send a message to learn more

11/21/2024

Thank you Riverton FFA Chapter and Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to our community!! We hope these images encourage you to consider what you're thankful for over these next few days. We're thankful for the many supporters of our chapter and for the members who took the time to make the signs for this season.

11/16/2024

Penny Black interviewed with me on her 66th Birthday as she Celebrated it doing a Route 66 Road Trip! This is an amazing interview that you won't want to mis...

11/12/2024

Due to technical difficulties we have extended the $25 registration fee until 11/15

The Race Across Kansas is on Saturday November 30, 2024.

11/10/2024

Thank you Riverton FFA

As Veterans Day approaches, we want to recognize and show our appreciation for all those who have served our country.

11/09/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AxWM837xW/?mibextid=WC7FNe

https://www.raceentry.com/route-66-race-across-kansas/race-information

24 Hours Only on November 11th 12:00 am to 11:59 pm

Registration on $25 for a birthday special

10/31/2024

Riverton FFA - Happy Halloween!