Celebrate 100 years of America’s Mother Road with free family festivities, live music and a dazzling drone show at Scissortail Park.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66, a historic stretch of more than 2,000 miles of highway that continues to draw road-trippers and history lovers alike. Established in 1926, Route 66 spans eight states and was one of the first continuous paved highways to the West Coast, running from Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, nearly 85 percent of Route 66 is still accessible and offers motorists a slower-paced scenic route across the mid-United States.
Among the states it passes through, Oklahoma boasts the longest drivable section of Route 66, with more than 400 miles meandering from the Kansas border to the Texas border near Texola. Once celebrated as the Main Street of America, Route 66 became a key passage for Oklahoma, greatly supporting its economic growth and becoming a cultural icon.
To officially commemorate the Route 66 legacy, Oklahoma City is celebrating this historic milestone with a family-friendly festival and concert at Scissortail Park. Here’s a look at what’s happening for a full day of family fun.
Route 66 “Kickin’ It” Centennial Birthday Bash
A free, all-day event for family fun.
On May 30, Visit Oklahoma City will present its Route 66 “Kickin’ It” Centennial Birthday Bash at Scissortail Park. This free, community-wide event is a high-energy, one-day-only festival featuring the music, memories and magic of the Mother Road. Families are encouraged to explore the park all day and stay for an unforgettable evening of entertainment.
Start the morning with something fresh from the Farmer’s Market, then spend the afternoon on a canoe, kayak or pedal boat available to rent at the Boathouse Pavilion. Or, if you’d rather stay on land, take a spin around the retro-themed Sky Rink, the park’s seasonal roller skating rink.
Beginning at 4 p.m., families won’t want to miss the special Kids Market and Route 66 Travel Hub. Showcasing young entrepreneurs, the Kids Market allows visitors to stroll and shop among a variety of kid-owned businesses. Children ages 5–17 will have booths featuring their products such as handmade crafts, artwork, baked goods, games and other creative items. This event is part of the Children’s Entrepreneur Market program, a national initiative that teaches kids the real-world skills needed to start and run their own small business.
“The Kids Market is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the creative and innovative spirit of small businesses that thrived along Route 66 and helped make it an iconic journey,” says Shaun Yates, vice president, Visit Oklahoma City. “We hope everyone comes out and supports this next generation of creators and entrepreneurs.”
Presented by Cox Communications, the Route 66 Travel Hub offers a place to learn more about Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66 and plan your family’s next getaway. The Hub will showcase the communities, attractions and landmarks along Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66 as well as booths from Centennial sponsors and partner organizations.
At 6 p.m., local artists take the stage for the Centennial Concert series showcasing Oklahoma entertainers, including performances from Kaitlin Butts, Ricochet, Bailey Rae, OK3 and more. For a spectacular finish, a Neon Lights Drone Show featuring hundreds of choreographed drones will light up the sky. Food vendors will be onsite, so bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy this historical show.
Event Schedule:
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Farmer’s Market
10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Pedal Boats & Kayaking
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sky Rink Roller Skating
4 – 8 p.m. Oklahoma City Kids Market
4 – 10 p.m. Route 66 Travel Hub
6 – 10 p.m. Centennial Concert & Neon Lights Drone Show
