Huge Celebration to Feature Vintage Cars and Games, Storytelling
The excitement is already building for a major festival in Carlinville this June that will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66.
The Route 66 Jubilee, which will feature old-fashioned cars, games, costumes, and storytelling, is scheduled for June 26 on the lawn of the Macoupin County courthouse. Planning for the event, one of the more significant small-town Route 66 events during the anniversary, has been going on for two years.
Even the date of the event – June 26, 2026 — is significant. Spelled out numerically, the day is 6-26-26 – similar to the Carlinville ZIP code of 62626.
“When highway and hometown align only once, we celebrate!” laughed Mary Tinder, a member of the Jubilee Steering Committee that is organizing the event. “We expect this to be a really big deal, with something unique for everyone.”
The Jubilee will harken back to the days of Route 66, which rolled through Carlinville from 1926-30 during its original alignment, with old-time games like sack races and kick the can. Storytelling and historical presentations, including local authors, songwriters, and musicians, will add to the flavor of the event.
One of the top attractions of the Jubilee will be a display of classic Ford Model A automobiles, which were one of the few cars on Route 66 when it passed through Carlinville. The Model A, which replaced the iconic Model T in Ford Motor Company production, was one of the top-selling cars in the United States during its production from 1927-31, though they are increasingly rare today.
A group of Model A collectors from the Missouri Valley Region of the Model A Restorers Club (MRV-MARC) from the St. Louis area will be on hand with their cars at the Jubilee to show off their beautifully restored vehicles. Talks are being scheduled for the public to learn more about automotive and transportation history. “That is really going to be something to see,” said Tinder. “We’re just thrilled that this group wanted to be here, and bring their classic cars.”
Presentations and conversations about the role of the car both on Route 66 and in American daily life, along with Route 66 travelers, moonshiners, gangsters, and flappers will educate and inspire people of all ages at the Jubilee. Many individuals, including local and county officials, will be in period costume during the day.
Another feature will be the “First Time Up” mini stage, where youngsters age 4-12 can take the microphone to sing a short song, read a few lines from a favorite book, or share their favorite poem. The stage reflects the conversations and participation that welcomes people of all ages to the Jubilee.
“We want to bring history alive for everyone through storytelling and music from the ‘Mother Road,’” remarked Tinder. “This event will be family-friendly with music, art, games, and, of course, food.”
The Route 66 Jubilee stems from ideas that Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl, along with Macoupin County Board members Harry Starr IV and Tony Wiggins , have envisioned for a vintage festival on the courthouse lawn. “They’ve wanted to see this happen for several years,” said Andrea Duncan and Tinder. “They saw how important, and how much fun, it could be.”
Similarly, Carlinville Winning Communities and the Carlinville City Tourism Committee were challenged in 2023 by Great Rivers and Routes to become a part of the “Last 100 Miles” celebrations in Illinois along Route 66. Planning for the Jubilee has been underway in the two years since that invitation.
The Jubilee Steering Committee includes Tinder and Andrea Duncan, along with Bobbi Bates, the Economic Development and Zoning Coordinator for the city of Carlinville, and Chad Strubbe, the general manager of Ace Hardware in Carlinville and board member of the Carlinville Community Chamber of Commerce.
The committee is continuing to plan with the community for the Jubilee, and welcomes all input and participation in the event.
Feathers, fedoras, pinstripes, and pearls welcome!
Come dressed as a flapper or gangster for the Best Dressed Contest.