From the Meadow Gold District to the Tulsa Arts District, Tulsans celebrated the 100th birthday of the Mother Road Wednesday with live music, a parade, speeches and lots of cupcakes.
The festivities began at 11 a.m. with the Tulsa Veterans Day Parade that recognized the centennial as part of the 108th installment.
A Route 66 enthusiast celebrates the centennial of the Mother Road with a cupcake in the Meadow Gold District Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Route 66 enthusiasts celebrates the centennial of the Mother Road with a cupcake party in the Meadow Gold District Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s and Meadow Gold Mack, stands between her businesses along Route 66 during a cupcake celebration for the Mother Road’s 100th birthday Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
At noon, business owners and Route 66 enthusiasts gathered under the Meadow Gold sign, 1306 E. 11th St., to celebrate with cupcakes provided by Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 and Meadow Gold Mack. She handed out free shirts to commemorate the day.
King Cabbage Brass Band performs at the Route 66 Centennial Celebration outside Cain’s Ballroom Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Route 66 author Michael Wallis speaks at the Route 66 Centennial Celebration outside Cain’s Ballroom Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. speaks at the Route 66 Centennial Celebration outside Cain’s Ballroom Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Showgirls from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa stand with the Route 66 Centennial cake as part of a celebration outside of Cain’s Ballroom Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Route 66 Centennial Celebration attendees grab cupcakes to celebrate during a birthday party outside Cain’s Ballroom Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
By the late afternoon, the party shifted to Main Street in front of Cain’s Ballroom, where King Cabbage Brass Band and Inspryal Circus entertained the audience. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and author Michael Wallis gave speeches and led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to the Mother Road. Then there were more cupcakes to be eaten.
Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys perform at Guthrie Green as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Emma Watts for Tulsa Flyer 
Fans watch Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys perform at Guthrie Green as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Emma Watts for Tulsa Flyer 
Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys perform at Guthrie Green as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Emma Watts for Tulsa Flyer 
Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys perform at Guthrie Green as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Emma Watts for Tulsa Flyer
King Cabbage Brass Band led partiers to Guthrie Green, where Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys played for hundreds enjoying the free outdoor show.
Wilderado performs at Cain’s Ballroom as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Wilderado performs at Cain’s Ballroom as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
A Wilderado fan on the front row wipes tears from excitement during the band’s performance at Cain’s Ballroom as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Ken Pomeroy performs at Cain’s Ballroom as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Ken Pomeroy performs at Cain’s Ballroom as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell welcomes Route 66 Centennial Celebration concertgoers inside Cain’s Ballroom Nov. 11, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
Back at Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa’s own Wilderado played a sold-out birthday concert with support from Ken Pomeroy.
Route 66 was established Nov. 11, 1926. Tulsa businessman Cyrus Avery was a member of the federal board appointed to create the Federal Highway System, and he pushed for the establishment of the U.S. Highway 66 Association to pave and promote the highway.
City officials have honored the anniversary all year long, including with a Guinness World Record-smashing classic car parade in May.
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