Springfield’s place in Route 66 history has always been a point of pride. This weekend, it is also a powerful economic development opportunity.
The Route 66 Centennial Celebration officially kicked off in Springfield on Thursday, April 30, marking 100 years since the Mother Road was named and putting the city in the national, and international, spotlight. Springfield was selected as the Official Host City of the Route 66 Centennial National Kick-Off, a distinction that anchors celebrations across the route and reinforces the city’s identity as the birthplace of Route 66.
The weekend’s lineup includes a concert, car show, classic cars, a parade, landmark celebrations and a live broadcast from NBC’s TODAY Show — all drawing visitors into the city and creating activity across Springfield’s hospitality, retail and restaurant sectors. Organizers and tourism leaders have described the celebration as a once-in-a-century event, with thousands of visitors expected from across the region, the country and around the world.
For Springfield businesses, that attention matters. Visitors who come for Route 66 do more than attend events. They book hotel rooms, eat at local restaurants, shop in local stores, buy fuel, visit attractions and explore neighborhoods. Those dollars circulate through the local economy, supporting jobs and creating momentum for businesses well beyond the event footprint.
A recent AAA survey found that roughly 40% of Americans are planning a trip along Route 66 during the centennial year, with even more expressing interest after learning about the milestone. That level of interest turns the centennial from a single weekend celebration into a yearlong tourism opportunity for Springfield and communities along the route.
Economic development is often discussed in terms of business attraction, infrastructure and workforce — all of which are essential. But tourism is also economic development. Major events like the Route 66 Centennial Kickoff create immediate spending while also building long-term awareness. A visitor who comes for the car show may return for a conference. A family who books a hotel for the parade may come back for a weekend getaway. An international traveler who discovers Springfield through Route 66 may become part of the city’s broader story as a place to visit, invest and do business.
Springfield’s Route 66 legacy has always connected people, places and commerce. This weekend, that legacy is alive in the streets — through vintage cars, live music, national media attention and visitors experiencing the city firsthand. The Centennial Kickoff is more than a celebration of the past. It is a reminder that Springfield’s history continues to drive opportunity for the future.
