Red Carpet Corridor Weekend
The Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival is your invitation to experience the legendary Mother Road like never before. Spanning nearly 100 miles from the Chicago suburbs to Central Illinois, this two-day celebration transforms historic Route 66 into a living, breathing “linear museum” filled with nostalgia, community spirit, and unforgettable roadside discoveries.
From Joliet to Bloomington, and every charming stop in between, communities roll out the red carpet with antiques, art shows, vintage car cruise-ins, yard sales, live entertainment, and local flavors that define the Route 66 experience.
Whether you’re road-tripping from Chicago or exploring hidden gems in Bloomington, Normal, Lexington, Chenoa, and Towanda, this self-guided tour invites you to explore Illinois’ rich Route 66 heritage at your own pace.
Turn your road trip into a reward-winning adventure with the Illinois Route 66 Mobile App Passport Program.
- Download the Explore Illinois Route 66 app from your app store
- Tap “Passports” and enter location-specific codes
- Check in at all 15 festival stops along the corridor
Complete the journey and you’ll be entered to win a prize package valued at over $225!
Make Bloomington one of your must-stop destinations during Red Carpet Corridor weekend. It’s one of the official locations to pick up your commemorative Route 66 water bottle, a must-have collectible for the centennial celebration.
- Pre-registration is required
- Participants receive exclusive stickers at select stops along the route
- Quantities are limited, so secure yours early
The Red Carpet Corridor weekend is also the official kickoff to McLean County’s Route 66 Centennial celebration season, launching a summer of experiences that bring the Mother Road’s legacy to life across Bloomington, Normal, and throughout McLean County.
Be among the first to experience brand-new, interactive ways to explore Route 66:
- Centennial Scavenger Hunt: Turn your visit into an adventure as you discover historic sites and uncover hidden stories along the corridor. This self-guided experience invites visitors to engage with Route 66 in a fun, hands-on way, perfect for families, road-trippers, and history lovers alike.
- Chalkboard Walls: Share your Route 66 story, favorite memory, or travel plans on interactive chalkboard installations placed throughout the community, adding your voice to 100 years of the Mother Road.
- Photo Ops & Installations: Snap and share your journey with new and enhanced photo opportunities across the region, from murals and roadside landmarks to larger-than-life Route 66 displays designed for the centennial celebration. Use #BNOn66 for your chance to be featured on our social media!
These experiences are part of a celebration honoring 100 years of Route 66, with new attractions, public art, and storytelling elements rolling out across the corridor to enhance the visitor experience.
Located at the intersection of Route 66 and U.S. Route 24, Chenoa invites travelers to experience a true crossroads of Illinois history. Begin your stop at the iconic Texaco Star, an original Route 66 gas station site, before weaving through town past the Matthew T. Scott House, a property proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Continue your journey along historic alignments to discover Chenoa’s restored public mural on Veto Street, a vibrant tribute to the town’s Route 66 roots. During Red Carpet Corridor weekend, the entire community comes alive with all-town garage sales and the popular Chenoa Superior Shopping Event, featuring vendors, antiques, and one-of-a-kind finds.
Giveaway Location: Redbird Park (205 S. Morehead Drive), where two historic Route 66 alignments intersect.
Step into a living history experience in downtown Lexington, where the Route 66 Centennial sparks the launch of the Lexington History Project. As you explore Main Street, you’ll encounter interpretive plaques guiding you through historic buildings and sites, turning the entire downtown into a walkable museum.
Don’t miss the completion of the Memory Lane billboard restoration project, brought to life with help from the local high school art department. Festival weekend fills Main Street with classic car clubs, live music, food trucks, and local vendors, along with unique experiences like a bourbon walk and cigar lounge.
Between activities, explore Lexington’s thriving small business scene from boutique shopping and cozy coffee shops to craft beer and locally loved restaurants.
Giveaway Location: Lexington City Hall
Towanda offers one of the most immersive and activity-filled stops along the Red Carpet Corridor, packed with Route 66 nostalgia and community.
Start at the main Towanda intersection (Route 66 and North 1900 East Road) near Rapid Rocky’s, where you can pick up your official giveaway and browse vendor booths featuring Route 66 merchandise, including popular Dead Man’s Curve apparel.
From there, explore local favorites like:
- Kicks Bar & Grill, a go-to stop for classic American fare
- Towanda Route 66 Parkway & Arboretum, a scenic stretch of Route 66 preserved by Fred Walk
Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Mid-State Cruisers Route 66 Cruise-In Car Show, taking place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This lively event features:
- A showcase of classic cars
- A live DJ
- Food vendors including JD’s and Long Branch Again
- Sweet treats from Gramma Nana’s Kitchen
Make your way to Ryburn Place at Sprague’s Super Service (305 Pine Street), a restored 1930s Tudor-style gas station that serves as one of the most photogenic stops along Route 66. Snap a picture with the vintage-style gas pumps, explore the gift shop, and connect with local Route 66 experts like Terri Ryburn.
Giveaway Location: Ryburn Place at Sprague’s Super Service
After your visit, head just minutes away to Uptown Normal, where you’ll find a vibrant mix of:
- Local restaurants and coffee shops
- Unique retail and boutique shopping
- Family-friendly attractions like the Children’s Discovery Museum
Bloomington is a central hub of Red Carpet Corridor weekend and one of the official locations to pick up your commemorative Route 66 water bottle (while supplies last with pre-registration).
Start your visit at the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and Gift Shop (inside the McLean County Museum of History at 200 N. Main Street), where you can:
- Pick up your festival giveaway
- Purchase the exclusive Route 66 trivia game, available only during this event
- Explore the museum, open free to the public during festival weekend (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
On Saturday, experience even more downtown activity:
- The Farmers Market (7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.) on the historic square
- Live sketch art by local artist Brian Simpson of Main Gallery 404
- A Lincoln impersonator available for photos
As you explore, watch for BN Artists’ Artist Passport stops and Route 66 Art Trail flags.
While you’re in town, discover Bloomington’s vibrant arts and culture scene, including performances and programming from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra.
Water Bottle Pickup & Giveaway Location: Visitors Center inside the McLean County Museum of History
From nostalgic roadside attractions to vibrant downtown celebrations, the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival is a journey through the stories, people, and places that define America’s most famous highway.
Explore more communities, events, and trip ideas across Illinois and start planning your Route 66 adventure today.