The 2025 Texas Route 66 Festival closed out its 10-day celebration Saturday, June 14 with a lively finale packed with live performances, local vendors, classic cars, and a tribute to the highway’s legacy in Amarillo.
The final day of festivities, held in the Route 66 Historic District, featured food trucks, a vintage pinup pageant, car shows, and a flyover that thrilled the crowd gathered along the avenue. A variety of musicians and performers took the stage throughout the day, giving festivalgoers a taste of Amarillo’s arts and cultural scene.
This year’s festival marked one of the most extensive celebrations of the iconic highway to date, with events held across the city from June 5 through June 14. Over the 10-day stretch, participants enjoyed parades, scavenger hunts, neon light tours, art exhibits, and community fundraisers — all aimed at honoring Amarillo’s connection to the historic “Mother Road.”
Guy Bell, dressed in a rhinestone-studded outfit, waves to the crowd while riding horseback down Sixth Avenue during the Route 66 Festival finale in Amarillo on June 14.
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Saturday’s finale brought thousands to the Sixth Avenue corridor for the main street-style celebration. Classic cars lined the district, with owners showcasing restored and custom vehicles that echoed the golden age of American road travel. A flyover by vintage aircraft added a patriotic highlight, while dozens of local vendors offered handmade crafts, Route 66 memorabilia, and festival merchandise.
One of the highlights was the Route 66 Pinup Pageant, where contestants competed in retro outfits and vintage flair, drawing cheers from the crowd and celebrating the nostalgic spirit of the highway.
Organized in part by the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau, the festival was designed to bring together businesses, artists, car clubs, and Route 66 enthusiasts in anticipation of the road’s 100th anniversary in 2026.
A young boy completes a pull-up with help from a U.S. Marine during a strength challenge at the Route 66 Festival, one of several family-friendly activities offered.
Next year’s event is expected to serve as the official Texas Route 66 Centennial Celebration, with Amarillo preparing to welcome visitors from across the country to mark a century of the iconic highway’s history and cultural influence.
Plans for the 2026 centennial are already underway, with local organizers aiming to cement Amarillo’s place as a must-visit destination along Route 66.
CJ Scott, winner of the Route 66 Pinup Pageant, poses with a bouquet and a smile inside the 806 Coffee Shop in Amarillo, capturing the pageant’s retro charm and Western flair.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo celebrates iconic highway with Route 66 Festival and Finale
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