Schedule and Event Details

Edwardsville's annual Route 66 Festival has been taking place for more than a quarter of a century to celebrate the City's many decades of Route 66 history and tradition! From morning to night, the festival is a rollicking fun time for all ages and interests in City Park in beautiful downtown Edwardsville!

DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2026
TIME: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
LOCATION: City Park, 101 S. Buchanan Street

NEW FOR 2025: Don't feel like driving? We're bringing in some additional temporary bicycle parking racks for anyone who wants to skip the hunt for a parking spot. Find it near the entrance to the Edwardsville Public Library, along South Kansas Street.

Schedule of Events

ROUTE 66 10K

The Metro Milers running club is hosting the annual Route 66 10k as an energetic kickoff for the Edwardsville Route 66 Festival! The race begins in City Park, 101 S. Buchanan Street, at 8 a.m., with awards handed out at 10 a.m.

> More Details and Race Registration

LIVE MUSIC AT THE CITY PARK BANDSTAND

The festival will have a variety of live entertainment throughout the day from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Grab a seat and enjoy some tunes or get up and boogie the day away!

Matt Taul Band (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Midlife Band (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.)
Blue Suede Crew (4 to 6 p.m.)
Butch Wax and the Hollywoods (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
Vote for Pedro (9 to 11 p.m.)

KID ZONE

Enjoy bounce houses, face painting and a petting zoo as part of the Route 66 Festival Kid Zone. A $10 wristband is required for entry and good for the entire time Kid Zone operates. Wristbands will be available at the Parks & Recreation ticket and information booth near the Kid Zone.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Bounce houses
10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Face painting
1-6 p.m.: Petting zoo

> More Details on Kid Zone

ROADSIDE MARKET

We'll have dozens of great artisan vendors selling unique and fun goods and tasty creations, including some Route 66 memorabilia! The Roadside Market will be up and running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

> List of Roadside Market Vendors

FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS

A great variety of food and beverage vendors will be available from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Vendors will be set up along Park Street, next to the festival grounds. Another great option is the Taste of 66 Experience Tent, featuring delights reminiscent of Route 66-era restaurants, and only available between noon and 5 p.m. (A punch card for the Taste of 66 Experience Tent must be purchased at the Parks & Recreation ticket and information booth. All other food vendors will take payment upon purchase.)

Looking for a table or seat to enjoy your snack or meal? We've got plenty in the Edwardsville Diner open seating tent, next to the food vendors and Taste of 66 Experience Tent.

> List of Food & Beverage Options

TROLLEY TOURS

Enjoy a relaxing trolley tour to check out some Route 66 sites in Edwardsville, learn a bit of history and test your Route 66 trivia knowledge! The tours will be offered five times on Saturday afternoon, leaving on the hour between 1 and 5 p.m. and running about 40 minutes each. Tickets will be available at the Parks & Recreation ticket and information booth. Seating is limited for each tour.
TROLLEY PICKUP/DROP-OFF: Front parking lot of the Public Works Building, 200 East Park Street, near the City Park bandstand.
COST: $5 per person

AUTHOR & HISTORY EXHIBITS

Check out some fantastic displays, architectural exhibits and photos showing the Edwardsville of yesteryear! The City's Historic Preservation Commission, Friends of Leclaire and the Madison County Historical Society will be on hand to answer questions and offer lots of great history.

And be sure to visit and talk with the authors who will be at the festival with copies of their books -- all focused on Edwardsville and/or Route 66!

Cheryl Eichar Jett -- Known as the "Route 66 Chick," Cheryl Eichar Jett is a Route 66 historian known up and down and all across the iconic highway, and she's also a prolific author about the Mother Road.
Peter and Tracy Flucke -- This Wisconsin couple bring their knowledge and passion for biking and Route 66 to this year's festival. They've authored several books about their adventures, including “Bicycling Historic Route 66.” SPECIAL EVENT: Head inside the Edwardsville Public Library (on the festival grounds) from 3-4 p.m. the day of the festival to hear the Fluckes talk about their travels and experiences and answer audience questions! (Event hosted by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee)
Joe Sonderman -- Joe Sonderman found his niche at the intersection of St. Louis history and Route 66. He's penned at least 15 books on the famous highway alone.
Anne Maro Slanina: This longtime educator shares her love of Route 66 and educating children through her series of "Annie Mouse" books. She's traveling from Pennsylvania to appear at this year's festival.
Sharon Porterfield -- A teacher and Chicago native, Sharon Porterfield now lives in the Metro East and has written numerous children's books. She showcases some beloved and well-known Edwardsville landmarks in "Good Night Edwardsville."

CAR SHOW & CRUISE

Enjoy a classic car show & cruise featuring hundreds of vehicles of all makes, shapes and models! Talk to the owners, learn about the history of these marvels of movement and check them out from engine to trunk. Also returning for 2025 is Cars Through the Decades, showcasing vehicles from the decades when Route 66 ran through Edwardsville. And don't miss the display of military vehicles near the Cars Through the Decades! Be sure to stick around to watch the cruise, taking off near the festival grounds at 6:15 p.m.

> Car Show & Cruise Details