Tulsa took center stage on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, as Route 66 officially turned 100 years old, coinciding with Veterans Day. The city hosted a full‑day downtown festival that drew visitors from across the country and highlighted the Mother Road’s historic and economic significance for local residents.
According to KTUL, the celebration began with a Veterans Day breakfast at 7 a.m. on Main Street near Cain’s Ballroom and continued for 14 hours, ending with a concert by Wilderado at the venue. A massive six‑foot‑six‑inch birthday cake was unveiled, and a woman traveling from Los Angeles praised the hospitality of Tulsa’s citizens. “I’d have to say just how nice the people of Tulsa are,” said Annie Laskey, who also visited the Philbrook Museum and the city’s art night.
The downtown event featured a free Centennial Crawl from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with eight stops including the Woody Guthrie Center, Bob Dylan Center, Greenwood Rising and Guthrie Green. A street party hosted by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino occupied Main Street between OKPOP and Cain’s Ballroom from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., offering live music from King Cabbage brass band, circus performances and other street entertainment. At 5 p.m., a “Centennial Moment” recognized the highway’s birthday, followed by a free concert by Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys at Guthrie Green from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Canopy screened the documentary “Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66” throughout the afternoon.
In addition to the day‑long festivities, Tulsa is preparing larger‑than‑life roadside attractions to draw future travelers. KTUL reports that a 66‑foot dinosaur is slated for Howard Park in West Tulsa, with installation expected by December. Executive Director Teresa Flusch said the project, funded by a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, an Oklahoma Main Street incentive and private donors, aims to become the nation’s tallest dinosaur roadside landmark. The organization is also soliciting name ideas from the public, including local schoolchildren.
Sweetie Pie’s Amish Bakery and Café is awaiting city inspections to install a “Giant Pie Guy” statue purchased sight‑unseen from a former Missouri pizza company. Owner Crystal Campbell hopes the whimsical figure will fill gaps between existing attractions and encourage travelers to explore more of Route 66’s local businesses.
The centennial ceremony on Nov. 11, covered by KJRH, brought together city officials, the Cherokee Nation and Route 66 preservation leaders. Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell highlighted the four hundred miles of Route 66 in Oklahoma and the role of “dreamers” – the small‑business owners who keep the corridor alive. Local veteran shop Lazar Imports, operating since 1985 and at its current Meadow Gold District location since 2001, was recognized as the longest‑established business on the stretch. Jim Sams of Sams Mechanic Shop and community member Katie Lapardus also shared reflections on the road’s cultural impact. The ceremony concluded with a birthday sing‑along, confetti and a free cupcake giveaway.
What’s next: The 66‑foot dinosaur is expected to be erected in Howard Park by December, and Sweetie Pie’s plans to finalize city approvals for the Giant Pie Guy later this year. Tulsa’s Route 66 corridor will continue to host seasonal events and promotional activities aimed at boosting tourism and supporting local businesses throughout the highway’s second century.
