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The New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group held its forth centennial stakeholders meeting September 17, 2024 at Santa Fe Community College (SFCC). Special guest speakers included Debbie Johnson of the Route 66 Centennial Commission, Lisa McGivern’s of the New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disability, and Laisa Barthuli, Route 66 Corridor Program manager of the National Park Service. The Department of Tourism and the New Mexico Route 66 Coordination Group provided updates from board members where available. New Mexico Route 66 Association president, Melissa Beasley-Lee, vice president, Nam Tran, and association advisor, David Nidel, were on hand to provide input on questions pertaining to the kickoff of the centennial celebrations as well as a few projects still in the works nationally. The next meeting to be held in Grants is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19. Before leaving campus, association president, Beasley-Lee and husband Mike Lee made a stop at the SFCC Visual Arts Gallery to experience DREAM BIG!, the art of George Rodrique. The exhibit consists of thirty original paintings from the private collection of Rodrigue’s widow, Wendy Rodrigue Magnus, and include some of the artist’s most famous Blue Dog canvases, iconic portraits of Cajun personalities, and rarely seen artworks inspired by his lifelong love of New Mexico. Wendy explains the theme of the exhibition: “Dreams are the portal to creativity. They are tied to instinct and desire, and they are the birthplace of ideas. This exhibition seeks to inspire through stories of pursuing one’s dreams, meeting one’s fears, and expressing our art, whatever it may be, with the full wonder of our imagination.” The artwork is presented through a collaboration with SFCC School of Arts and Design, SFCC Continuing Education, SFCC Foundation, and the Life & Legacy Foundation. The exhibition continues through October 2.  The Edelbrock Sick 66 Drag Racing Cruise event comes to five Route 66 states October 10-18! Sick the Magazine is hosting a drag racing series event across Route 66 from Missouri to New Mexico. “Six individual tracks will host eight-mile drag races, after which racers will be driving those same racecars down Historic Route 66 with checkpoints along the way.” Two of the nine days will include “pit stops” in New Mexico:
Be sure to check out Sick the Magazine for the latest updates to the route. https://www.sickthemagazine.com/sick-66/  With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 coming up in 2026, the City of Albuquerque is working with 14 local businesses and property owners to restore vintage signs along the “Mother Road.” The City of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture and Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency is investing $432,000 in the Revamp Route 66: Sign Improvement Grant Program. As of mid-September, a little over one year after the program was announced, new and restored signs are popping up across the city. Some businesses like Root 66 Barber and The Imperial Inn have already had their signs finished. The 5501 Plaza and the Dog House said their signs are almost complete. “It’s been an honor to get it for sure. These signs aren’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination and it’s not something we would have probably invested that much money in. So to be awarded that really meant a lot to us,” said Dacia Weist, owner of 5501 Plaza and program participant. “It’s going to be great; because it’s going to show, it’s neon. So we are looking forward to it, and hopefully it will attract more people,” said Vicki Jaramillo, general manager of Dog House. KRQE NEWS 13 compiled a list and photo gallery to track the transformation of the signs at the 14 establishments participating in the Route 66 sign program. Read More Source: WRKG News Story by Fallon Fischer, Jessica Salinas  The New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group is hosting its next stakeholder meeting in Santa Fe on Tuesday, September 17. Join us to share your ideas and perspective for how New Mexico can celebrate the Route 66 Centennial in 2026! Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Time: 9 a.m. - 12 noon Venue: Santa Fe Community College - Jemez Rooms Address: 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87508 Click here to view the full agenda.  The most enduring highway in our public consciousness, Route 66 represents a unique moment in history that continues to define the nation’s identity: the rise of the automobile and its implications of freedom, mobility, and a quintessential American story. Grants from this fund will help preserve and enhance historic places on or connected to Route 66 for future generations. Grants from the Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund are awarded to preserve historic places on or connected to Route 66. Grant funds can be used to launch new initiatives or to provide additional support to ongoing efforts. Grants awards may be made for activities and projects such as:
Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000. Applications due October 16. APPLY TODAY  |
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