Vinita Historic Route 66 Festival Draws Crowds to the ‘Mother Road’

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Early morning thunderstorms and overcast skies didn’t dampen the fun of the third annual Vinita Historic Route 66 Festival Saturday, June 17.

A celebration of Vinita’s place on the “Mother Road”, the family-friendly festival featured a car show, Big Truck and Tractor Show, an Incredible Inflatable Park, live music, shopping and much more.

“The Vinita Historic Route 66 Festival was a success. We had a good crowd,” said Stephanie Hoskin, one of the festival’s organizers with the Vinita Chamber of Commerce. “The rain cleared and attendance picked up around 11 a.m. We were pleased with the number of out-of-town visitors we had, from Joplin and Miami to people who were travelin’ Route 66 and stopped to enjoy the festival. Locals enjoyed it too.”

According to Hoskin, some of the festival-goers who were traveling Route 66 came from Wisconsin and Maine, as well as Spain.

Hosted by the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce, the festival got started Friday, June 16, with an evening block party featuring music, food and fun for all ages. The Roadhouse Smokers band performed, while food trucks served a variety of treats to festival-goers who sat back and enjoyed the good food and music.

“We were very surprised by Friday night’s turnout. It was nice,” Hoskin said. “We had set out 66 chairs and those were filled. People were also sitting in lawn chairs they had brought. Food trucks ran out of food. It was very successful.”

The Incredible Inflatable Park proved to be a popular attraction for kids on both Friday and Saturday. Organizers say they sold 400 wristbands, which were required for unlimited play on the inflatables.

On Saturday, vendors along Main Street offered a wide variety of merchandise. Food trucks and free train rides drew festival-goers as did the Craig County Cruisers car show, which featured classics, antiques, muscle cars, motorcycles and trucks.

The center stage at the Vinita Historic Route 66 Festival showcased a variety of local and regional performers.

All-in-all, Hoskin said, the good turnout for both days of the Vinita Historic Route 66 Festival is “an affirmation that we’re on the right track with this event.”

Check out some of the fun that Saturday’s festival had to offer.

Photos by Martha J. Henderson/360GrandLake.com.