|
Route 66 has played a pivotal role in shaping America’s spirit of adventure, fostering a sense of community, and opening up new possibilities for generations. As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of this iconic highway, the New Mexico Route 66 Association proudly hosts a six-day journey across the Land of Enchantment to honor this remarkable legacy. The Motor Tour, scheduled for September 8-13, 2026, invites participants to embark on a memorable exploration of New Mexico’s historic 604-mile scenic byway. The tour will follow the current Route 66 alignment as well as the pre-1937 segment, offering short daily drive distances so guests can truly savor the essence of the Mother Road, relishing the fun and adventure that have defined it for a century. In partnership with Route 66 municipalities and communities statewide, the New Mexico Route 66 Association extends a heartfelt invitation to join this once-in-a-century event. The tour is more than a cruise—it’s a celebration of preservation, discovery, and economic revitalization along the legendary Route 66 corridor in New Mexico. Whether you choose to experience all six days or join for a portion of the route, you are welcome to cruise with us and discover why New Mexico is truly the Land of Enchantment. The event welcomes classic cars, contemporary vehicles, travel trailers, and motorcycles, ensuring everyone can experience the magic of Route 66. Those wishing to learn more about the New Mexico Route 66 Association Motor Tour 2026 as plans progress are encouraged to visit rt66nm.org/join-or-renew.html. The New Mexico Route 66 Association has been dedicated to the education, promotion, and preservation of Historic Route 66 in New Mexico since 1989, working tirelessly to support economic revitalization along its 604-mile stretch. As a 501(c)(3) organization, their commitment has helped keep the legacy of the Mother Road alive for future generations.  Donatella Davanzo is an Italian American cultural anthropologist and documentary photographer whose body of work focuses on the connection between communities and their landscapes. Photography is the key vehicle and tool in Donatella Davanzo's visual ethnographic research and documentation of the unique cultural practices and spatial organizations of diverse human communities in the Southwestern United States and abroad. Donatella is widely recognized for her in-depth exploration and lectures centering on the acequias—centuries-old, communally managed crop irrigation systems in New Mexico. She is also known for her visual ethnographic studies and document analyses of the stretch of Route 66 that runs through New Mexico. Based on visual documentation contained in her doctoral dissertation, Donatella’s grant-funded Route 66 Centennial project, Route 66 Connected, comprises an innovative interactive exposition of original commercial properties developed between 1937 and 1970 along Route 66 in New Mexico that are still in operation today.   Most recently, Donatella participated in the 2025 New Mexico Route 66 Association Motor Tour, taking photos and preparing the tour guide with her numerous photographs and detailed descriptions and history. The guide is an invaluable resource for the motor tour participants, and for the New Mexico Route 66 Association that hosted the event. To date, Donatella has authored two books. Tango in Venice: Expression of a Rite views tango dancers from an anthropological perspective, concentrating on their use of movement and space, and their use of dance as a ritual. Through International CultoMusica: An Ethno-Photographic Account by Donatella Davanzo, she documents eleven different religious cults still present in Trieste during eleven different musical concerts. To learn more or to connect with Donatella about her photography, visit her Route 66 Connected website at: https://donatellaabq.wixsite.com/route-66-connected    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 new dates, a new route, and a classic Route 66 Land of Enchantment vibe, we are sad to announce that due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2024 motor tour has been canceled. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause and hope too have another motor tour planned soon. Check out some our previous motor tours here.  |
|
|