The Blue Carpet Corridor is a unique section of Route 66 characterized not only by its Mother Road charm, but also its rich mining history and colorful mobster lore. Route 66 is known for its quirky attractions, roadside hospitality, and family fun. And every year on the second weekend of June, a special array of events celebrates our Route 66 heritage as each participating community plans its own activities.
But all year long, the blue carpet is rolled out to welcome you from Auburn to Collinsville along three historic alignments of the Mother Road. Enjoy a meal at a real mom and pop eatery. Discover innovative museums, towering monuments, historic buildings, and winding stretches of original highway. Find a treasure or a souvenir at a unique shop.
Come visit us on the Blue Carpet Corridor. And don't forget to bring your camera, because photo ops are plentiful.
But all year long, the blue carpet is rolled out to welcome you from Auburn to Collinsville along three historic alignments of the Mother Road. Enjoy a meal at a real mom and pop eatery. Discover innovative museums, towering monuments, historic buildings, and winding stretches of original highway. Find a treasure or a souvenir at a unique shop.
Come visit us on the Blue Carpet Corridor. And don't forget to bring your camera, because photo ops are plentiful.
MINERS, MOBSTERS, AND THE MOTHER ROAD – JUNE 9-10
On Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10, 2018, the “Miners, Mobsters, and the Mother Road” weekend will be celebrated in communities from Auburn to Collinsville. This will be the fourth annual celebration of the heritage of this stretch of historic Route 66. Highlights will include mining displays, the Illinois Coal Museum, and the Mother Jones Museum (Miners); programs and costumed characters reminding us of the legendary Al Capone and his mobster friends (Mobsters); and the Route 66 Royalty car cruise, car shows, historical tours, and exhibits (Mother Road). Free souvenir passports will be available along with a unique stamp at each official Passport Stop. Each town plans its own events, offering collectively live music, festivals, vendors, food, car shows, children's activities, museum and historic site open hours, souvenirs, tours, book signings and an author fair, and photo ops. Saturday's Official Passport Stop hours are Saturday 8 am – 5 pm and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. |
BLUE CARPET CORRIDOR COALITION ANNOUNCES TWO MAJOR 2018 ROUTE 66 EVENTS!
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MILES OF POSSIBILITY 4th annual ROUTE 66 CONFERENCE
OCT. 25-27 On Thursday – Saturday, October 25-27, 2018, the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference (MOP Con) will return to the Blue Carpet Corridor for a three-day event in Carlinville. The event will kick off on Thursday, October 25, with local historical tours and a social get-together. Friday and Saturday will feature a keynote speaker and break-out sessions on Route 66 history, preservation, and tourism. Vendors, entertainment, social events, and Halloween festivities will round out the weekend. Registration for the event will be available in early 2018. The first Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference was held at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville on Halloween weekend 2015, with the second at the McLean County Historical Museum in Bloomington (in the White Carpet Corridor) in October 2016, and the third at the Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet (in the Red Carpet Corridor) in October 2017. Contact information will be available here soon. |
FEATURED EVENTS
The Most Mother Road Memorable Moments Per Mile!
Learn more about our Three Mother Road Alignments
Click on a name below to learn about that individual community. Each Blue Carpet Corridor community has its own pages which offer information about events, attractions, restaurants, and lodging.
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