I’m Roger Naylor, an Arizona author and travel writer, who pens these bulletins and I’ll crank them out as fast as I can. Please note that you can find all Centennial information and events on the Association's website.
This is the autumn edition and just like that we’re one season closer to the 2026 Route 66 Centennial. So there’s plenty to tell you about. Let’s jump right in.
There’s no better way to kick off the cool autumn season than with a chicken dance. At Flagstaff Oktoberfest you’ll have ample opportunities to bust your poultry-like moves. On October 4, Wheeler Park is transformed into a shady Bavarian beer garden. There will be live music, possibly of the polka variety, weiner dog races, vendors, and plenty to eat and drink. Make sure your lederhosen aren’t too snug because there’s a brat eating contest. Festivities go from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s a big goofy party, and helps support the community. Flagstaff Oktoberfest has raised more than $160,000 for local nonprofit organizations.
📷:Flagstaff Oktoberfest
This epic two-day event in Lewis Kingman Park just keeps getting bigger and better each time around. This year the Kingman 66 Fest runs October 10-11 and is wall-to-wall Mother Road fun. It includes happenings like a pinup contest, live art displays, rollicking bands, food and craft vendors, a beer garden, a car show, a large-scale zipline, activities for the kids, and plenty more.
The 66 Fest is free to attend and offers free parking in the adjacent lot at the corner of Route 66 and Fairgrounds Ave. Fun Zone wristbands can be purchased and will keep the young and young at heart playing, bouncing, zipping, and riding both days. Check out the website for a full schedule of events and activities. And if you’re looking to plan ahead, the festival dates for the Route 66 Centennial festival are already set. Mark your calendar for Oct. 16-17, 2026.
The revitalization of Kingman has continued at a fast clip for a few years now, and took a big step forward this summer with the reopening of the newly renovated Beale Street Theater. Formerly known as the State Theater, the stylish venue has been a centerpiece of downtown for decades. It finally closed as a theater in 1979 and went through several incarnations. It was purchased in 2018 by the nonprofit organization, Kingman Center for the Arts. They began major renovations in earnest in 2021.
While the building had been modified in recent years when it served as a church and as a used furniture shop, it retained much of its original character. Kingman Center for the Arts reconstructed the lobby and the Beale Street façade, and has opened again offering a variety of shows and entertainment. Its presence a new element to Kingman’s already vibrant downtown scene. While the construction is complete, they’re still raising funds to purchase additional staging equipment to produce even more lavish productions. If you’re eager to check out this refurbished landmark, you don’t have to wait. Tickets are on sale now for their Historic Ghost Walks, Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25.
October is the last month of the year to take a scenic gondola ride up to the high shoulder of the San Francisco Peaks above Flagstaff. Here you’ll experience some of the most vivid panoramas on all of Route 66. The enclosed gondola cabin sets out from the Arizona Snowbowl and glides to the upper terminal at an elevation of 11,500 feet. The breath-stealing vistas include a wide sweep of country that includes the red rocks of Sedona and on clear days, the Grand Canyon. But much of your attention will be focused on the slopes below, banded with yellows and golds.
Early to mid-October is the peak of fall colors, when groves of aspens turn vivid in the days of waning sunlight. The slender white-trunked aspen trees are the autumn stars of the high country with leaves of bright yellow, orange, and gold. Many of the large aspen groves are clonally connected, so the groupings change colors en masse, as if someone flipped a switch. From the comfort of the gondola cabin, you’ll have the best seat in the house for the dazzling display. Scenic Gondola Rides at Arizona Snowbowl run through October 19.
📷:Arizona Snowbowl
This is the very definition of a hidden gem since it’s owned by the city and behind locked gates. A fine display of ancient petroglyphs is etched into the rocks by the ancestors of the Hopi and Zuni tribes. The area also features a lake and is frequented by numerous bird species for those that enjoy watching our feathered friends. It’s one of those intriguing Route 66 experiences that fly under the radar because O’Dell Hidden Cove can only be accessed by a guided tour. The two-hour tour must be scheduled in advance and there is a fee. But you can learn all about the details through the new website they’ve just put up. It provides a good overview of the experience and includes contact info.
Tucked away in Flagstaff’s Southside District, the Morning Glory Café has carved out a healthy lane for themselves. They specialize in organic, vegan, and gluten-free choices. More than 90 percent of their menu is organic. What produce the cafe doesn’t grow themselves, they purchase from local growers. And they manage to make it all taste good, as evidenced by their longevity. At the end of August, they celebrated 40 years in business.
Morning Glory offers a wide-ranging plant-based menu for breakfast and lunch. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try their Berries and Cream French Toast for a yummy way to start the day. Their Hemp Burger has been a menu mainstay since 1990. You can also feel good about supporting a sustainable business. They recycle gray water, compost food scraps, and use biodegradable and recyclable to-go containers.
📷:Morning Glory Café
Look for a brand-new Route 66 exhibit at Flagstaff’s Museum of Northern Arizona. This one is titled Wagon Road to Mother Road and will open in November. It will be a fascinating look at the historic arc of this transportation corridor that began with the fabled Beale Wagon Road carved by Lt. Edward Beale leading a group of men, mules, and camels in 1857.
When it comes to Route 66, don’t expect just the standard charming nostalgic look back in time. According to the museum website, the exhibit should be spicier than that. Here is what it says: “Based on MNA (Museum of Northern Arizona) research, the show reveals captivating stories about the wild side of the iconic highway—including tales of drinking and driving, breakdown camps, car crashes, and the colorful reputation of auto repair shops.”
Sounds like they’ve dug up the dirt and are ready to spill. For more information, contact the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Just this summer, Keepers of the Wild in Valentine celebrated 30 years as an accredited nonprofit wildlife sanctuary. But instead of turning on the No Vacancy sign and resting on their laurels, they just keep doing what they’ve been doing for three decades—providing comfortable habitat and loving care for a wide range of rescued animals. And suddenly, all the new residents are youngsters. This summer they just welcomed three mule deer fawns—Aiyanna, Aspen, and Bambi—and three black bear cubs—Sylvie, Silas, and Sawyer.
Even though these little ones were faced with difficult circumstances early in their lives and orphaned, they’re safe now. And they’re home. They’ll grow up surrounded by love and some new, unexpected siblings on the slopes of Crozier Canyon. All the babies will require some fairly intensive care and habitats will need to be retrofitted, or baby-proofed. They’re also going to be hungry just about every day. The point is, for Keepers of the Wild to continue doing their wonderful work, funds are required. Whenever you can visit and tour the beautiful facility, that helps them and you’ll have an amazing day. But of course, donations are always welcomed as well. You can do it in a variety of ways, including credit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, etc. There are at least a half-dozen baby critters—along with many, many older ones that would be very appreciative.
Join Keepers of the Wild for a special 30th Anniversary Fundraiser on Saturday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sedona International Film Festival – Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
This intimate evening (fewer than 90 seats!) features two inspiring documentaries about Keepers of the Wild—The Miracle Wolves and the premiere of Echoes of the Wild: The Journey of the Singing Dogs by filmmaker Alex Tello. Guests will also enjoy a wildlife-inspired fine art exhibition and live auction curated by Art Lovers Anonymous.
Founder Jonathan Kraft, filmmaker Alex Tello, will lead an engaging Q&A. Tickets are $40 (includes wine or beer), with all proceeds benefiting rescued animals at the sanctuary. A special VIP Experience is also available, including 4 VIP seats, a commissioned painting, and a gift basket.
Tickets & info: Sedona Film Festival
Online Auction: Live Auctioneers
The Route 66 Centennial will prompt numerous celebrations and special events all over the state. Here are just a few. But remember, you can find all Centennial information and events on our website.
The inaugural centennial bash will take place on November 15, 2025 in Kingman. That’s when the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona turns back the clock a century for its Night at the Route 66 Museum. The fundraising event in the Powerhouse features live jazz music, casino-style games in a speakeasy atmosphere, food, magic, and guided tours of the Arizona Route 66 Museum’s new exhibits. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1920s-era attire to get in the swing of things.
This will be the official kickoff to the year-long celebration of Route 66’s 100th anniversary. It also marks the unveiling of the completed Route 66 Museum Centennial Renovation Project, with vibrant new exhibits and unbridled passion for the Mother Road. Tickets for the event cost $100 and proceeds benefit the Route 66 Museum so they can continue their work with preservation projects and educational outreach. Purchase your tickets today!
Winslow kicks off its own series of centennial programs. Several are still in the works but here are a few to look forward to in the coming months. There will be a full exhibit of the past century installed at the Winslow Visitor Center in cooperation with Old Trails Museum next month. The opening will take place on November 9, 2025 from 2 to 4 p.m. It will include refreshments, a raffle, and a short Route 66 presentation. It’s a great way to learn more about Old Trails Museum and Winslow history. Their 100 years of Route 66 in Winslow calendars will be for sale.
In 2026, look for a stylish low-rider event, Sittin’ Low on 66. There will also be a horse show sponsored by the Clear Creek Cowboys. This will be the equine version of a show and shine. Come out and watch some beautiful animals and learn about cowboy gear. Dates have not yet been set for these events.
Start making plans for a bigger, more spectacular centennial-version of the Route 66 Fun Run, which will take place May 1-3, 2026. The Association has expanded the number of vehicles that can be registered for the car show to 900. But you just know that all those slots will quickly be filled, so sign up as soon as you can.
The calendar for Fun Run will also widen because the Seligman Route 66 Centennial Celebration will begin on Thursday April 30 and last through May 2, expanding and incorporating the first couple of days of Fun Run. Festivities will take place all through the day on April 30 starting with the opening ceremony and continuing with author book signings, a Route 66 history display, time capsule viewing, and finishing with one great party that includes food trucks, live music, and literal dancing in the streets.
Well, that’s it for now. As you can tell, there’s never a dull moment on Route 66 in Arizona. We’ve added supplemental newsletters for the time being to get you all the information you need. Look for one to land in your inbox at the beginning of November.
If you have items of interest you'd like to share in an upcoming newsletter, you can email them to me, Roger Naylor, at [email protected], or to Nikki Terlesky, Director of Operations at Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona at [email protected].
Thanks for being part of the Route 66 family. Happy motoring!