The biannual Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Saturday, July 25, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Frisco Conference Center, 101 S. 4th Street in Clinton. With the Mother Road celebrating its 100th anniversary, organizers have expanded the event into a centennial celebration featuring exclusive merchandise, Oklahoma authors, historic displays, classic automobiles, and family activities.

Every two years, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association inducts two members into the Hall of Fame—one living and one posthumously—and the recipients are traditionally announced during the ceremony. This year, the Hall of Fame committee also selected Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell as a special centennial inductee in recognition of his contributions to preserving and promoting Route 66.

Several Oklahoma Route 66 authors will sign books during the celebration, including signed copies of the newest “Little Golden Book” about Route 66. Visitors can also purchase the newest issue of “The Chronicles of Oklahoma,” published by the Oklahoma Historical Society, which is dedicated entirely to Route 66.

Visitors can also enjoy a variety of Route 66 attractions surrounding the ceremony. The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum will host a pop-up museum store featuring exclusive centennial merchandise, including the debut of a limited-edition T-shirt honoring Clinton natives Jack and Gladys Cutberth, remembered as “Mr. and Mrs. Route 66.”

The event will also debut the first in a series of outdoor Route 66 photo stand-ins created through a collaboration between the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum and Clinton Route 66 artist Lynne Chastain. The interactive display highlights an important chapter in Clinton’s Route 66 history and will become a permanent museum attraction at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum next week. More will be coming in the near future. 

A small collection of classic automobiles and door prizes throughout the afternoon will add to the festivities. The Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame has inducted members since 1994 and includes notable Oklahomans such as Michael Wallis, Will Rogers and many more.

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum—home of the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame—traditionally hosts the ceremony, however, this year’s event has moved to the Frisco Conference Center to accommodate larger centennial crowds.

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum will be closed on Saturday, July 25, from 12 to 3:30 p.m. so that staff can attend the ceremony.