Cruise to Springfield for the Mother Road Festival

January 30, 2023
Amy Beadle

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The 22nd Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival cruises into Downtown Springfield on September 22 – 24!

Registration is now open for participants!

Come celebrate the Golden Age of Route 66…From classic cars to live music & food this festival features over 1,100 cars and over 80,000 spectators. Grab your friends and family and head to Downtown Springfield where you won’t pay a thing, yep it's FREE to spectate and enjoy! See the cars, enjoy the tasty food and listen to music in historic downtown.

Friday night the 22nd Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival kicks off the weekend with the Route 66 City Night Cruise for Crimestoppers. Cars line up at the Capital City Shopping Center and cruise through Springfield right into the heart of Downtown!

Live music throughout the weekend!

What’s happening on Saturday, you ask?? Tons of FUN stuff, that’s what!! Enjoy the Old Capitol Farmers Market. Visit the Springfield Visitors Center to pick up your Explorer Passport, which will take you on a trip on Route 66 to find Springfield "Living Legends". Also while you are here pick up a copy of our Visitors Guide and be sure to visit our world class sites!

Don’t forget about the Miss Route 66 Festival Pin-Up Contest sponsored by Springfield Vintage.

Then get ready for some smokin' tires and burnin' rubber during the Burnout Competition. It’s the loudest and smokiest burnout and it’s a crowd favorite…and you’ll see why!

Grub on some festival food & drinks while wandering around the downtown browsing cars and taking it all in.

Wrapping up the weekend on Sunday is the Awards Ceremony on the Main Stage. Stop and see if your favorite car wins an award!

List of Highlights for the Weekend

RECON-TECHS Springfield presents the Friday night Route 66 City Nights Cruise with up to 2,000 classic cars cruising into downtown Springfield, benefitting Crimestoppers. The cruise will feature a tribute to the local veterans as the 2023 Grand Marshals in the Hail to the Heroes segment of the cruise
Enjoy live music Friday and Saturday at Main Stage at 6th & Washington!
Not to be missed, the Burnout Competition Saturday afternoon at 3pm at 7th & Washington
The Miss Mother Road pageant takes place on Saturday sponsored by Springfield Vintage, on the Main Stage
Old Capitol Farmers Market - Saturday morning. Fresh, local produce and goods to enjoy.
Admire the spectacular automotive eye candy in the "Monet of Cars" featuring cars from Dick Levi on Saturday & Sunday
Post your "selfie" at any Illinois Route 66 landmark to Facebook, or Instagram with hashtag #MyIL66 and #visitspringfield to be featured on Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway social media! Info at #MyIL66.
IL State Capitol Photo Op! Stage a photo of your car with the majestic Illinois State Capitol Building as your backdrop (4th & Capitol)
Grab the Explorer Passport and visit our Living Legends & Landmarks of Route 66 throughout Springfield, available at the Springfield Visitors Center
Register your ride for a chance to be awarded one of the top honors, show will be judged by CASI certified national judges
CAR/TRUCK SHOW REGISTRATION HOURS: Thursday, Sept. 21 11:30am-6pm, Friday, Sept 22, 11am-8pm, Saturday, Sept. 23, 8am-Noon
FESTIVAL HOURS: Friday, September 22: Cruise Line-up 3pm, Cruise into Downtown 6pm, Show hours 6pm-10pm; Saturday, September 23: Show Hours 9am-10pm; and Sunday, September 24 9am-2pm, Awards Ceremony at Noon

Want to show off your ride? Click here to register!

Get your reservation early for Festival Weekend-Book one of our amazing Hotels

Hungry…explore “5 Must Eats” in Springfield or check out a full list of Eat + Drink spots.

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