SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is underway and things are kicking off with a car show featuring cars that would have travelled the Mother Road.

Many of the drivers bring their cars here every year for the festival. The City of Springfield says this festival brings people from all over the country and even internationally. Last year, there were visitors from 32 different states and 18 countries.

For locals and visitors, it's a tradition to celebrate the Mother Road. Classic car owner, Dave Gilkey, lives in Walnut Grove, and he enjoys coming to the festival every year.

He is showing off his 1949 Oldsmobile painted specifically in amethyst. He says the festival is fun, but it's not when he feels like the mother road comes back to life the most.

"There's a lot of ni

See Full Page