This weekend, all roads lead once again to Springfield for this major car show. Hundreds of street machines, muscle cars and hot rods will rumble into the capital city. They will be followed by thousands of spectators for this weekend of family fun, live music and entertainment. The festival begins with the Route 66 City Nights Cruise, which starts at 6 p.m. Friday at the Capital City Shopping Center. Cruisers travel west on Stevenson Drive and then north on Sixth Street to downtown. Several streets will be closed for the festival, which features hundreds of classic cars on display Saturday and Sunday. Judging will take place Saturday in various categories. Also, the popular burnout competition is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Seventh and Washington streets. As always, the festival includes lots of live music. Lady Luck will lead it off with a show from 8-10 p.m. Friday. Saturday’s music lineup is The 66 Ramblers (1-3 p.m.), Rosie & The Rivets (5-7 p.m.) and Bon Journeyed (8-10 p.m.). The Miss Mother Road Contest will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday. Actress Adrienne Janic, known as ”AJ” from the automotive makeover show Overhaulin’, will be a special guest at the event Saturday.
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival
Fri., Sept. 26, 6-10 p.m., Sat., Sept. 27, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun., Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-noon
217-553-5271
MotherRoadFest66@gmail.com
This article appears in September 25-October 1, 2025.
