SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – The Route 66 Centennial Celebration is far from over, with a whole lineup of events happening Friday night, but once the festival is over, new icons of the Mother Road will be sticking around for a long time.
First, it’s a royal welcome to the Queen City, lit up in gold—the Queen’s Gate is just one of the new things you’ll find permanently in the Ozarks with the celebration of the centennial year for Route 66.
The sculpture will officially be dedicated at 11 Friday morning. It’s supposed to let people pause and reflect right where Route 66 began.
“Route 66 is known for these iconic stops,” said Cora Scott with the Route 66 Centennial Commission. “Photo opportunities long before selfies existed and Instagram. So, Cadillac Ranch, the Santa Monica end of the pier sign, is another one. Catoosa Whale, these images are kind of burned in people’s imagination. Well, now you’re going to have the Queen’s Gate sculpture at the birthplace of Route 66.”
But that’s not the only thing to come to the Ozarks.
Three landmark tour stops are in Laclede County, Webster County, and right here in Springfield—that’s the Birthplace Plaza in downtown, where the TODAY show was Thursday morning.
Of course, you can also find signs up and down the Route letting you know exactly where you are.
For these new landmarks in Springfield, don’t worry about rushing to see them just this weekend.
“Forever,” Scott said. “That’s the idea, that while we are commemorating the 100th anniversary, that this will lead us forward and then be able to entertain visitors and locals alike across along Missouri forever.”
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