Grand Unveiling of Route 66 Landmark

Jason Rzucildo goes to Kingman, Arizona for the new Route 66 drive-through shield

After much anticipation by Route 66 enthusiasts, the drive-through shield was put up on Saturday July 24, 2021. The grand opening also happened on National Drive-Through Day, making the opening even more commemorable.

The special event had music and a car show, which included 66 classic vehicles. Car enthusiasts gathered in the parking lot of the Powerhouse Visitors Center to witness the antique cars.

One car owner, whose name is Paul but goes by the name “Donkey,” shares his story about his 1928 Ford. “It belonged to my step-brothers dad, so all of us kids back in the day, all of our first welds are on this car,” he said. “This whole car was built by kids that were 18, 19, and under.”

The new shield replaced an old one that stood in its place. The old one was used in the Route 66 Fun Run in 1990, which stood as a monumental place for the runners to end their race.

The Route 66 Fun Run is an historic event that hosts people from all around the world. Starting in Seligman, Arizona, participants drive down 140 miles of Route 66, making stops in different communities along the way. With more than 800 vehicles full of participants, the Fun Run has events at every stop, making for a fun packed weekend!

The iconic Route 66 shield is loved by Fun Run participants, and so after continuous pleading done to the city, the shield was eventually built.