Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival

Celebrate the 16th Annual Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival on May 6th & 7th, 2023. This two-day festival emphasizes family fun on one of the most famous two-way highway in America - Route 66. This annual festival invites everyone to experience the good life in the slow lane. 

Communities from Joliet to Bloomington have events and activities planned, including festivals, art & antique sales, live entertainment, motorcycle & car shows, food & drinks, and more! From historic sits to mom & pop shops to unique musuems, there's something for everyone.

Make sure to explore the towns of the Heritage Corridor.

City of Joliet

• The Joliet Area Historical Musuem - There will be free admission all day from 8am to 5pm on Saturday. Sunday, the musuem will open at 10am. 
• Old Joliet Prison - The Welcome Center will open at 8am on Saturday. Sunday at 10am. There will be various car clubs parked at the musuem and prison throughout the day.

City of Wilmington

• Visit the Chamber tent at the north end of downtown vendors 220 N. Water St. There will be flea markets, hula contest, dance performances, food trucks, and a Route 66 band that will start at noon. On Sunday, stop by Nelly's Restaurant at 110 Bridge St., to get your giveaway. 

Village of Gardner

• There will be a meet and greet with the Mayor at the Two-cell jail, where you can pick up this year's giveaway. Other activites on Saturday and Sunday include: Gardner Archives in the Village Hall 8am-5pm. The Gardner Lions Club at The Street Car Diner serving root beer floats from 9am-3pm and pork chop sandwiches from 10 til gone. All Town Garage along with a Craft Show on Depot St hosted by Creative Gemz from 9-3.
  Saturday only events on Depot St: Scapegoats Car Show in parking lot 10-4. Elvis tribute artist Hugo will perform 11- 1. Church of Hope Rock-a-thon at the Gazebo 10-1. 
  Sunday only event on Depot St: Tractor Show 10-4. More info contact: 815-237-2592 

City of Pontiac

• The Pontiac Community Art Center is hosting its annual Swinging Bridges Arts Festival. The 200 block of West Madison and The Eagle Theatre will house artists selling handcrafted, fine art pieces. Live music, art, entertainment, and food trucks. The Musuem will be open both days from 9am to 5pm. There will be giveaways at 209 W. Madison. 

Village of Dwight

• Friday-Sunday-All town garage sales Friday & Saturday-Route 66 BBQ Smokeout, a Kansas City Barbecue Sanctioned event Saturday-Dwight PTO Vendor Fair 9-2. Saturday- Dwight Historical Society Museum open in the Historic depot. The Historic Texaco station will be open all weekend from 9-4 with Cherry Red Roasters supplying a food tent. Photo ops, family activities and more!