Route 66 Fun Run® Largest Route 66 Rally

The 32nd Annual Route 66 Fun Run is May 3rd through May 5th

The Route 66 Fun Run® is the largest and longest standing Route 66 rally in the world. The 2019 Run will take place May 3 to May 5 and this year marks the 32nd annual celebration. The Fun Run is not a timed race but a 140 mile pleasure cruise of classic and custom vehicles that traverse the Mother Road from Seligman, AZ to Topock/Golden Shores, AZ. The rally takes place over three days. Last year, 788 vehicles participated in the cruise from Seligman to Topock.

The Fun Run means many things to many people. To the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, it is their annual celebration of how much they’ve accomplished. To many participants it’s a chance to catch up with old friends who meet at the run every year. For Route 66 business owners between Seligman and Topock it’s a very busy time.
The Fun Run Committee has been busy working to make this run the best yet. A new drive thru shield will debut this year, an expanded car show area, and a fun scavenger hunt have all been added to this years run.

When you show someone a photo of a car driving under the iconic white and black arch, their first question is, where can I get a photo? The beloved drive-thru took a spill the last time it was put up, necessitating a new arch and a different approach. The Committee decided to go with an inflatable arch, similar to the finish line at 5k runs. The new drive thru arch will be able to withstand more wind than the previous arch, up to 25mph. It will also be more portable which enables the Association to set it up in more than one location during the weekend.

Last year, as cars continued to arrive from Seligman into Kingman, parking spots became scarce. The committee has expanded the road closure on Beale Street to include 2nd Street to 5th Street to make room for more cars.

As they story goes, some of the first Fun Runs included a scavenger hunt where you would find landmarks or people along the way. The committee thought it would be fun to bring back the idea and have participants identify unique Route 66 shields along the way. Winners who turn in their completed cards have a chance to win a prize in Topock at the awards ceremony.
Things get underway on Friday, May 3, in Seligman with registration, live music and an impromptu car parade through town. Kingman will be hosting the seventh annual Route 66 Drive-in event, featuring American Graffiti at Best Western King’s Inn Friday evening starting at 8pm.

The first leg of the journey officially begins at 10am on Saturday, May 4, with a cruise from Seligman to Downtown Kingman led by the Grand Marshal Bob Boze Bell, author of The 66 Kid. Mr. Bell will have a meet and greet at the Powerhouse Visitor Center where he will be signing books from 2pm – 4pm. The route takes drivers through the attractions and communities of Grand Canyon Caverns, Peach Springs, Truxton, Valentine, Keepers of the Wild, Hackberry, Antares, and Valle Vista.
Upon arrival in Downtown Kingman, participants line up their cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, buses and vans on Route 66 (Andy Devine Ave) and Beale Street for a show & shine viewing and judging.  Thousands of spectators enjoy vendors, food, music, and the museums in Kingman’s historic district all afternoon until 5pm.  After the car show enjoy a special cocktail hour hosted by Rickety Cricket Brewing on Beale Street.

The second leg of the journey begins Sunday morning, May 5. Departing from Kingman, participants head to Topock/Golden Shores for the final gathering and awards ceremony at 1pm. This scenic back-road winds past Cool Springs, Gold Road, Sitegreave’s Pass and Oatman before heading down the backside of the Black Mountains for the shores of the Colorado River.

Two years ago, the Association started a patch program. All participants who complete the entire route from Seligman to Topock receive a limited edition patch. If you collect all ten patches in the series, they fit together to form a large shield. Each patch features an Arizona Route 66 landmark.

Registration for the event is $60 per vehicle. The fee includes a shirt, dash plaque, commemorative license plate, custom tote bag, entrance to the Kingman Show-n-Shine and Topock/Golden Shores award ceremony. For more information or to register visit www.historic66az.com or call 928-753-5001.