FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
An estimated 2,000 people attended the Rockin’ the Route kickoff concert Thursday night for the 11th Annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, presented by Aaron Sachs & Associates in downtown Springfield, Mo.
The kickoff concert staged at the Aaron Sachs Stage in Motorcycle Village featured the 135th U.S. Army Band “Fire for Effect,” and headliner Emerald City Band out of Dallas, who kept the crowd energized with a string of dance party and pop hits.
The fun continues into the weekend with a classic car show runs Friday noon – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Kansas City Chiefs Champions Tour arrives Friday afternoon, giving the public a chance to see the Super Bowl Trophy from 4-6 p.m. at Springfield Expo Center. The Birthplace of Route 66 Parade heads west to east down the Mother Road at 6 p.m. The parade route extends from Grant, through Park Central Square to National. Bringing up the rear will be the Kansas City Chiefs Kingdom Cruiser, which will join the parade from Grant and College to the Aaron Sachs Stage. A short rally will give festivalgoers one last look at the trophy from 7-7:45 p.m.
Machine Gun Symphony and Sixwire, with special guest and lead singer of Boston, Tommy DeCarlo, will finish out the night.
Motorcycle Village opens with activities from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and continuing Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The finals for the Great Route 66 Talent Search take place with a pre-show by Jessie Cowen and 417 Aerial at noon on the Chevy Dealers of the Ozarks stage at the Historic Shrine Mosque. Come see talented regional acts, vying for a shot at a front-of-the-line audition pass with America’s Got Talent!
Free concerts are sprinkled throughout the festival schedule on two stages: the Aaron Sachs Stage at Jefferson and McDaniel and the Chevy Dealers of the Ozarks Stage at Park Central Square.
For a full schedule of events, visit route66festivalsgf.com.
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For more information, contact Cora Scott at 417-380-3353 or [email protected].
The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is made possible in part thanks to a generous donation by presenting sponsor Aaron Sachs & Associates / Ozarks on Two Wheels. Event partners include: Aaron Sachs, City of Springfield, KY3, Masterful Events, Jack Stinson and the West Central Neighborhood Alliance.