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This term leading up to the Route 66 Centennial is a crucial one as we prepare to celebrate 100 years of the Mother Road and implement projects leading up to and into the next century.
These Board of Directors bring diversity, teamwork, and their unique talents and time to our organization. We are so thankful for their tireless enthusiasm and support. 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.  We’re thrilled to unveil the official Route 66 Centennial Logo for the New Mexico Route 66 Association designed by Darryl Willison! Join us as we celebrate a century of iconic adventures and unforgettable memories along the Mother Road! Keep your eyes peeled for exclusive merchandise featuring this stunning design, coming soon!  The New Mexico Route 66 Association announced it is the recipient of a $50,000 Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund, from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “This is an extremely high honor for the Association, and I am proud to see us recognized with this funding for our state preservation efforts,” said Melissa Lea Beasley-Lee, President of the Association.
Funds are being used to help restore many neon signs along Tucumcari’s stretch of Route 66 that were destroyed last year in a massive hailstorm. “The devastation was spread across town,” Beasley-Lee added, “and it was as if the lights went out on Route 66. We're working with businesses to replace broken parts of signs to bring them back to their shining glory again.” Businesses affected were predominantly small mom-and-pop enterprises that could not afford the financial and human resource commitment needed to repair their signs along what is arguably one of the most-photographed and admired segments of the Mother Road. “We have made multiple trips to Tucumcari to coordinate volunteers and work together to bring the magic back to this city,” she explained. The economic impact of tourists coming each year to Tucumcari specifically, and New Mexico Route 66 in general, is tallied in the many millions of dollars, and one of the main attractions is vintage signs. To be able to photograph them in operating order is typically a highlight of a Route 66 journey. The Association is no stranger to neon restoration and preservation, and in the past has contracted commercial sign companies to enable restorations. “This year, the Association has moved to a do-it-yourself capability, establishing a skilled volunteer crew to service classic roadside neon signs,” Beasley-Lee continued. “Small businesses face a cost-prohibitive situation when attempting to hire commercial sign crews, which is exacerbated for rural communities like Tucumcari where the closest commercial sign companies capable of servicing neon signs are located more than 100 miles away.” She explained that Association crews have recently saved these business owners up to 90% of the cost of repairing a sign. Efforts are ongoing until all damaged signs are repaired. Prior to the storm, work had begun creating a 30-minute Do-It-Yourself video of how to repair neon signs. It was funded by the National Park Service, with the intent for it to be made available online free of charge. The scale of the storm in Tucumcari and subsequent repair efforts provided an opportunity to have hands-on examples for more videos. The Association captured extensive video footage of the repair process, and now, as a result of these grant monies, two more videos will be produced to create a comprehensive three-part video series. “We documented every step of the process, not only for historic value, but also so that others could learn from them in the future,” Beasley-Lee commented. The completed video series will include: (1) Inner workings of a neon sign, steps to replace broken glass, lift options to reach your sign; (2) Troubleshooting a neon sign: Why is part of my sign not lighting? Why is it blinking?; and, (3) How to build a frame, bend glass, and mount a neon sign. Lastly, the Association intends to offer a free downloadable .pdf checklist to assist in assuring each step has been covered while working on a sign. “Neon signs are among the most important aspects of Historic Route 66,” Beasley-Lee asserted. “It is critical that we keep as many working as possible, while also enabling owners to do their own repairs whenever it is feasible.” For More Information, please contact: New Mexico Route 66 Association Melissa Lea Beasley-Lee, President 505-803-6966 [email protected] [email protected] New Mexico Route 66 Association Heritage Awards are presented to people and businesses that invest time, money, and resources to renovate and restore classic or iconic places of significance along Route 66 throughout New Mexico. Now is your chance to nominate yourself or others. Deadline: December 31, 2024 Read More  Our iconic road's centennial is on the horizon, and it's our moment to drive change.
We're rallying at the state capitol's public meeting on December 12, 2023 – a pivotal moment for Route 66's future in New Mexico. Your presence is powerful! It's now or never. Stand with us to celebrate our road's rich legacy. Let's show the strength of our community and our commitment to Route 66. Together, let's accelerate into a bright future. Join us at the capitol! New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group Meeting December 12, 2023 Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Venue: New Mexico State Capitol Building (Room 309), Address: 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Click here to view a draft of BYLAWS OF THE ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL COORDINATION GROUP Download File Dear Route 66 Business Members, As you may know, a New Mexico State Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group was formed in September 2023 under executive order of the governor. The Route 66 Association was not given a seat on this board. The New Mexico Route 66 Association President, Melissa Beasley-Lee has been a board member of the group that created the groundwork for the National Route 66 Centennial preparations since 2017. She would be the only one on this state board with seven years of knowledge regarding what has already been laid out, what is currently taking place, and what steps are now needed on a state level leading up to and throughout 2026. She is also the only member who solely represents the businesses and communities of Route 66 throughout our state. For her not to have a seat at this state level board raises a serious question – Why is she, and the Route 66 Businesses she represents not being invited to continue being a part of the centennial planning. There will be a meeting at the state capitol building Tuesday, December 12th, to vote on the formation and rules of this group. This meeting is open to the public and Melissa, as well as other association board members are planning to attend and voice their concerns about the states choice of members and plans. The New Mexico Route 66 Association feels it is vital that business members attend this meeting as this committee will be the who, what and where that our tax dollars will be spent leading up to and throughout the Route 66 Centennial. This is a once in a 100-year opportunity that can greatly affect the prosperity of your business. We hope you will plan to be present at this meeting on December 12 to let your voice be heard personally for your business, and to request that the NM Route 66 Association be given a seat on this coordination group board. |
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