“Slide Down 66” on the newly designed, iconic Giant Slide
at the IL State Fair
First Slide and Photo Opportunity with state and local officials
10:30am, August 12 at the Giant Slide inside the Main
Gate of the IL State Fairgrounds
GSCC Ribbon Cutting at
11:00am
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The 2022 Illinois State
Fair will welcome new features and attractions including a newly designed,
iconic Giant Slide! In operation at the
Illinois State Fairgrounds since 1968, the Giant Slide, now owned and operated
by Doug Knight plans to operate seasonally for visitors outside the 11-day
state fair.
Additionally, the continually growing IL State Fairgrounds
Route 66 Experience will see many new features this year. Continuing to enhance the Route 66 assets
throughout Springfield, the Giant Slide changes and the gate 2 area is a
collaborative tourism partner effort as part of the road to celebrating the 100th
Anniversary of Route 66 in 2026! This
anniversary will bring new experiences for locals and visitors alike.
“This will become the centerpiece of a marketing campaign by
the SCVB around the expanded Route 66 Experience at the fairgrounds ahead of
the Mother Road's centennial in 2026. We
are ecstatic for Doug Knight and grateful for the city's support. I expect 250,000 visitors to 'Slide Down 66'
between now and the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026." ” said Scott
Dahl, Director, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Giant Slide & Gate
2 Experience Highlights
·
At the 2022 IL State Fair, the Giant Slide will
sport a mega Route 66 shield and banners highlighting its significance as the
only state fairground located directly on the historic road.
·
Beginning in 2023, the slide will be operated
seasonally May – August on Saturdays for locals and visitors to enjoy an
opportunity to “Slide Down 66”
·
NEW for 2022 Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66
Gate 2 Experience will not be missed with a 40- foot Route 66 neon sign being
added to the future Legends Neon Sign Park.
·
Eight to ten Byway members, including
communities, CVB’s and businesses will be represented at the experience, giving
visitors a chance to learn about the road throughout the state from top to
bottom. IL Route 66 community
representatives will be available onsite at Gate 2 to answer questions during
the fair.
· Various car collector groups will be on display
at Gate 2 throughout the fair, including:
August 13: Lincoln Trail Truck Club
August 15: Corvair Society
August 17: Cool Cruisers
August 20: Illini Chapter BMW Club of
America
· Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Springfield
Convention & Visitors Bureau received two IL Department of Commerce &
Economic Opportunity state tourism grants in the past three months, the grants
are worth $2 million. Phase 2 of the
Experience at Gate 2 is scheduled to be completed by the 2023 Illinois State
Fair.
· Stakeholders in the project include, Illinois
State Fairgrounds, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Springfield Convention
& Visitors Bureau, and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
· Route 66 Monarch Flyway will be in full bloom
again this year. The vision of the
project is supportingthriving
monarch populations that sustain the monarch migration into perpetuity and
serve as a flagship for the conservation of other plants and animals.
·
About Springfield Convention &
Visitors Bureau -
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) is the official
destination marketing organization for the City of Springfield, Illinois. As a department of the City of Springfield, the
SCVB markets the capital city as a unique convention, meeting and leisure
destination in support of our City, our community and our hospitality partners.
About Knights Action Park –
Brothers Doug and George Knight welcome you to the third generation of Knight
family traditions. Family fun, a safe and welcoming atmosphere and most of all,
65 acres of water and amusement park excitement.
Knight’s Action Park & Splash Kingdom have long been Springfield’s home for
entertainment, excitement, and refreshing summer fun. We began as a golf
driving range in 1930 by golf pro George Knight Sr. Knight’s Action Park has
been a part of the Springfield area for over 92 years. Today, Illinois's
favorite family fun park is home to 8 water slides, batting cages, a fifty-tee
driving range, a spray ground (Camille's Reef), the classic Big Wheel, a giant
wave pool, and 8 exciting water slides. It is “where the action is” in Central
Illinois.
About Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway
-
We help attractions, small businesses, and communities take full advantage of
their Route 66 resources to provide the best possible experience for visitors
from around the world. We also provide information to travelers to help them
plan their adventure down Route 66.
# # #
Need
more information, or to schedule an interview contact Amy Beadle, Marketing
Manager, Visit Springfield,
please call 217-414-1590 or e-mail amy.beadle@springfield.il.us