If you somehow haven’t heard, Tulsa is celebrating Route 66’s 100th birthday over the next week — and there is a lot going on.
If you’re still figuring out where to get your kicks, we’ve got you covered. Here are each of the events and activities taking place throughout the weekend.
Capital Cruise Expo
Expo Square (4145 E. 21st St.)
2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 29
The celebration starts Thursday with the Capital Cruise Expo. Vendors will have booths and interactive displays. Drivers and volunteers participating in the Guinness World Record-attempting parade you’ve heard so much about will check in during this event. Entry is free.
Capital Cruise Tailgate
Expo Square (4145 E. 21st St.)
4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 29
On Friday, the SageNet Center at Expo Square is hosting a pre-parade tire kick, with food trucks and vendors — including Tulsa Kids Market. The event is free to enter, with food and merchandise available for purchase.
West Tulsa Centennial Pre-Cruise Bash
Route 66 Historical Village (3770 Southwest Blvd.)
4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 29
While west Tulsa is not on the car parade route, the Red Fork neighborhood is getting in on the weekend fun with a pre-cruise bash. The free event includes a free concert from the Red Dirt Rangers, a dedicated kids zone, vendors and food trucks.
Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise
Route 66 (11th Street between Denver and Yale)
8 a.m. Saturday, May 30
The 5.5-mile parade will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. Street closures will begin as early as 5 a.m. By 6 a.m., the entire parade route will be closed to traffic, and cars will be unable to travel north or south through 11th Street. Spectators can cross the street until the Capital Cruise begins.
Visit Tulsa estimates the parade — an official Guinness World Record attempt for most classic cars in a single parade — will last about four hours. Motorists can click here to register to drive in the parade, which has already attracted more than 4,000 signups. Registration is $25. For those wanting to watch the parade, there will be 16 party zones in parking lots along the route.
Click here to see a centennial event calendar for communities surrounding Tulsa, and read our previous stories about Route 66 — including key attractions and history — here.
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