In celebration of Route 66’s one hundredth anniversary, the town of Chicago will formally acknowledge Navy Pier as the start line of the long-lasting roadway. “This transfer symbolizes how Route 66 continues to evolve whereas honoring its roots,” mentioned Mayor Brandon Johnson. “From the shores of Lake Michigan to the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Route 66 represents the final word American journey.”
The dedication ceremony honoring the brand new trailhead of Route 66 and its enduring position in American historical past, tradition and journey will happen on March 25, 2026.
The designation was accepted by way of a decision launched by Councilman Brendan Reilly and handed by the Chicago Metropolis Council in recognition of Route 66’s centennial anniversary and Chicago’s historic position because the route’s japanese anchor. “Route 66 has all the time been about goals and prospects,” mentioned forty second Ward Councilman Brendan Reilly. “Designating Navy Pier because the japanese terminus honors Chicago’s historic position whereas creating a robust Pier-to-Pier connection that captures the true spirit of the American journey.”
From pier to pier
In 2009, the terminus of Route 66 was moved a mile west to the Santa Monica Pier. With the start line shifting to Chicago’s Navy Pier, the highway and its vacationers now run from Pier to Pier. A formidable new Route 66 signal shall be put in at Navy Pier, marking this as the beginning of the route. The Pier-to-Pier connection creates a symbolic bookend for one among America’s most storied highways, connecting Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean and cementing Chicago’s position as each a historic origin level and a contemporary gateway for exploration.
“Route 66 has lengthy represented connections and prospects, and we’re proud that the journey now begins at Navy Pier,” mentioned Marilynn Gardner, CEO of Navy Pier. “As Chicago’s entrance porch and gateway to the town, Navy Pier is a becoming start line to have fun 100 years of American historical past, tradition and journey.”
An entire day of partying
The celebration additionally coincides with the opening day of the baseball season, fittingly uniting two nice American traditions: America’s Means and America’s Pastime. As a part of the daylong festivities, Harry Caray’s on Navy Pier will host the twenty eighth annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray – an annual occasion celebrating the lifetime of the beloved Corridor-of-Fame announcer.
“Harry Caray’s life completely embodied the spirit of Route 66: freedom, optimism and the enjoyment of the journey,” mentioned Grant DePorter, CEO of Harry Caray, who was instrumental within the metropolis’s choice to make Navy Pier the start line for Route 66. “Harry grew up alongside Route 66 in St. Louis, realized to drive on Route 66 and took Route 66 to Wrigley Area to announce his very first baseball recreation. It’s extremely significant that the highway now begins at Navy Pier, the place we collect yearly to have fun him.
The Route 66-themed Toast will characteristic a collection of “roadside sights,” together with reside music and leisure with particular performances by Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T’s; basic automobile shows from the Volo Auto Museum; alpacas from the Chicago Excessive Faculty for Agricultural Sciences, representing the animals discovered alongside Route 66 in Arizona; and extra.
For updates on occasion programming and journey data, go to navypier.com and harrycarays.com.