Committee advances planning for Route 66 events, interactive sign and Hometown Heroes banners

Members of the Pacific Tourism Committee reviewed multiple Route 66–related initiatives, including bringing back Railroad Days, a Route 66 Barbecue & Bluegrass festival, placement of a sponsored interactive Route 66 sign, Hometown Heroes banners, and a Route 66 Quilt Trail.

Alderman Kelly and Tourism Director O'Malley summarized outreach and timing. Kelly said she had contacted other cities that run similar events but had not yet received responses and noted organizers want to target 2026 dates because many organizations are booked in 2025. O'Malley said the committee has an “official date” for the barbecue and bluegrass event described in the meeting as “June 28 through 20 second,” and said the sponsorship committee will decide within a month whether to fund the event.

Committee members debated scheduling to avoid duplication with neighboring towns. Discussion covered whether to place the Route 66 interactive sign at Jensen Point (the parks board raised concerns about limited evening access, ADA access, lighting and security camera coverage). O'Malley asked whether the committee wanted the original location (between Red Cedar and the parks building) and members recommended retaining the originally planned placement to avoid additional permitting and budget work.

The committee discussed event details and logistics: the barbecue and bluegrass plan described a three-day schedule with a sanctioned barbecue competition (time windows discussed included a Saturday competition with awards around mid-afternoon and a Sunday local barbecue competition), food trucks and bands, and a family movie night. O'Malley said the festival would include a "people's choice" award if the health department and sanctioning group approve; the committee discussed budgets and said sponsorship, if approved, would cover bands, prizes and rentals. O'Malley said a three-year commitment is expected for businesses that display Quilt Trail squares and that a quilt-square class costs $300 per participant; the town will host quilting classes and provide paint day sessions for participants.

Other items: the committee sold 15 Hometown Heroes banners so far and can sell up to 50; banners cost $65 and the town will accept donations to sponsor banners for fallen soldiers without nearby family. The committee scheduled two informational Route 66 public meetings for February 26 (one at 10 a.m. and one at 6 p.m.) to explain projects and solicit business/resident participation; mural artist Ray Harvey was invited to present at the evening session.

No formal motions or votes were recorded to finalize dates, sign placement or budgets at this meeting; members asked staff to coordinate with the parks department, sponsorship committee and health department and to return with clarified budgets and permit guidance for future meetings.