The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival over the weekend brought about 23,000 people to downtown Springfield. City spokesperson Cora Scott says the parade Friday night, featuring 425 classic cars trucks and motorcycles, floats and performing groups, had about 5000 spectators.
And they came from all over, she said. An Australian tourism company, which guides Route 66 tours each year, booked their trip down the historic highway in to Springfield to coincide with the 2015 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, according to Scott.
Plans have already been announced for the 2016 festival, which will take place August 12-14. Promoters at the historic Gillioz Theatre announced next year's concert acts for both August 12 and 13 and provided special ticket offers to this year's festival-goers. Officials there say they have already sold about 100 tickets to both concerts, which will feature Asleep at the Wheel and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage.