The following news has been released by Pontiac Tourism:

Billy Connolly Films In Pontiac

The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois, was visited on Monday, April 25, 2011, by actor/comedian Billy Connolly and a film crew from the UK. They were in Pontiac to record a segment of Connolly’s latest travel series which will be shown on BBC. Connolly has an extensive resume in television, film, and as a stand-up comedian. He has been a part of three other BBC travel programs, including tours of Scotland, Ireland, and the Northwest Passage. The series currently being filmed will take Connolly along the entire length of Old Route 66.

What's a Motor Tour Passport?

A Passport is your complete guide to the attractions featured along our Motor Tour each year. It is a list of the Route 66 attractions and their locations at which our Motor Tour will be stopping. In addition, Passports provide information on numerous Points of Interest along the Mother Road which, while not stops on the tour this year, are nonetheless exciting Route 66 attractions. Your Passport is not only a guide for the Motor Tour but for any trip along Route 66 in Illinois. Each Motor Tour participant is provided with a Passport upon registration to direct and inform them along their journey.

According to the latest count, there are only around 20 of these collectable, commemorative license plates left for purchase. These very special license plates honoring Route 66 artist and icon, Bob Waldmire, will be highly sought-after memorabilia for years to come, even if you don't put them on your car. Get your set while you can!!!

The plates are street legal until June 12, 2011.

To purchase, you must provide a copy of your Illinois license and vehicle registration (which must be valid at least until June 12, 2011) to Buz Waldmire at the address below.

Plates are $25.00 plus $6.00 shipping.

Buz Waldmire
6200 Waldmire Road
Rochester, IL 62563
1-217-971-4287

On Friday, April 8, 2011, the University of Illinois awarded the first Betty Estes Route 66 Scholarship. Named for Pontiac's first director of tourism, Betty Estes, the award was presented to Marieta Bangeova, a student in the department of Recreation, Sports, and Tourism. Betty has been recognized by several local and state agencies for her tireless efforts in promoting the preservation and appreciation of the "Mother Road." In 2010, she was presented with a plaque from the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Byway and the scholarship was named in her honor. Present at the ceremony were current Pontiac Tourism director, Ellie Alexander, Pontiac City Administrator, Bob Karls, members of the Estes family and several of Betty's closest friends.

We are pleased to report that Hall of Famer, Ernie Edwards (of Pig Hip fame) has returned home after spending several months in a nursing home.

Association board members visited Ernie and found him in great shape, looking forward to the Hall of Fame banquet at the Motor Tour in June!

Even though he's home, we're certain he'd still love to hear from friends and admiring Roadies alike.

If you'd like to drop Ernie a note, please send it to:

Fran and Ernie Edwards
1105 North State Street
Lincoln, IL 62656

A very exciting attraction is coming to Godley, IL - the Illinois Route 66 Mining Museum!

According to a press release from Godley, IL, the museum is made possible through a joint partnership between the grass roots group known as the GR3C, the Village of Godley and our very own Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee.

It’s that time of year again - Motor Tour season! We invite you to come enjoy a weekend traveling along and celebrating Route 66 in Illinois, June 10, 11 and 12, 2011.

Wondering what a Motor Tour is? Read So What Is a Motor Tour Anyway?

Here’s the rundown of our 2011 Tour. Register today by downloading this registration form.

For more information about our Motor Tour, contact:

Jerry Law
Email: thelaw1@sbcglobal.net
(618) 251-4892

Marty Blitstein
Email: blitz66@earthlink.net
(708) 444-1312

Route 66 Association of Illinois presents: the 2011 Motor Tour
LOVE, PEACE and the MOTHER ROAD - The Bob Waldmire Tour
June 10, 11 & 12, 2011

All Welcome – Any Vehicle – Any Year – Any Model
You may join or leave the tour at any point or time.

This article UPDATED 3/18/11!!!

See below for update details.

On Sale NOW!!!

Get 'em while they're HOT!

Limited time and limited availability!

We are excited to announce the 2011 Motor Tour License Plates are now available for purchase!

Click to view a larger image of the license plate.

Here are the complete details:

This was submitted via our website content submission form by Mannie Mendelson of the Last Stop Shop on the Santa Monica Pier.

Mannie tells us he has a huge Bob Waldmire display of photos and notes at his shop.

Click here to view Manny's tribute to Bob Waldmire.

Thanks for sharing, Mannie!

Each attraction along Route 66 has a history. Most tell the story of a place which sprang to life as people traveled along the Mother Road, providing sustenance, services, comfort, hospitality and entertainment - everything necessary for an enjoyable journey across the heartland of America. These attractions do their part both individually and collectively in creating a mosaic, expressing precisely what Route 66 is all about. That’s why we place such a high value on preserving these attractions and honoring the folks who brought them to life.