Shown here from inside Springfield Business Journal’s office, 375 classic cars were available for viewing during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival downtown.
SBJ photo by MAR’ELLEN FELIN
Record 38K attend Route 66 Festival
Geoff Pickle
Posted online
A record 38,000 people visited downtown Springfield over the weekend for the sixth-annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival.
The attendance figure beats the previous record of 23,000, first set in 2014 and met again last year.
Saturday was the largest of the three-day event, as 28,000 people came out to view 375 classic cars, 1,000 motorcyclists brought their bikes and concerts played on four stages to celebrate the Mother Road.
“We know that places like Rail Haven were sold out this weekend,” Downtown Springfield Association Executive Director Rusty Worley said, noting the economic impact of the event would be figured in the next few weeks. “The restaurants up and down Route 66 in the downtown area were packed, especially on Saturday.”
City of Springfield spokeswoman Melissa Haase said the entry fee was $20 per car or motorcycle. Some 750 motorcyclists raised $8,000 to benefit the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association during the annual Gypsy Tour Poker Run.
Friday’s parade and concerts and Sunday’s vehicles and other events each brought in 5,000 attendees.
The city of Springfield partnered with KY3/KSPR and Aaron Sachs & Associates PC to host the event. Noting he was unsure of the value of the sponsorships, Worley said the partnership generated considerable buzz for the event.
“The festival had more promotions and publicity than any event that I’ve been associated with,” he said.
Moseley’s Discount Office Products was purchased; Side Chick opened in Branson; and the Springfield franchise store of NoBaked Cookie Dough changed ownership.
