'Our parade was about half the size': Rain-filled week hurts Lebanon Route 66 Festival turnout
As always, the event featured food vendors, games and live music for families to enjoy.
'It's been a great event.' Bruce Owen, president of the Lebanon of Laclede County Route 66 Society said. 'People come from overseas to see it and everything, it's just a big thing.'
While the festival saw positive reception from attendees, Owens states that the heavy rain and flooding during the week caused fewer people to show up this year.
'We usually have a lot more,' Owen said, 'But it was raining this morning, and a lot of people won't get their antique or classic cars out in the rain. Our parade was about half the size and our whole car show was about half the size.'
Despite the lower turnout, he says that it was 'more than we expected' and that 'we are happy with how it turned out.'
Owen believes that it is important for Lebanon, both economically and culturally, to continue to hold the Route 66 Festival for years to come.
'It's for our city,' said Owen. 'We're showing our support and what our 66 really is, you know, we wouldn't be here as a town probably as big or as industrial if it weren't for our 66.'
Springfield was recently announced as the host city for two Birthplace of Route 66 Festivals: the first starting in August 2025, while the larger event will take place sometime in 2026, which will be broadcast nationwide.
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