Exhibits
The Journey
Route 66 Through the Decades
From its very beginning in the 1920s continuing into the future …the life, mood, experiences, and sounds of The Mother Road will be captured in interactive and immersive walkthrough exhibits through artifacts, historical facts, photos, video, fashion, brands, and spectacular automobiles that traveled it in their day.
Designed and arranged by decades, visitors can take their time while winding their way along the “world’s most famous road,” experiencing and becoming a part of the atmosphere of that period.
William Franklin
The designer of the Journey is Tulsa’s own “William the Artist” Franklin – a third-generation, self-taught artist who is also an accomplished entrepreneur, businessman, and community activist. He is the creator and proprietor of Decopalis, a downtown retail store and visitor center, located at 1401 E. 11th Street, Suite A & B, Tulsa, OK 74120.
However, William’s greatest artistic talent is creating Trompe-l’oeil murals. The work has him collaborating with decorators, artists, and designers from across the US and Europe on projects from New York to London including Disney World.
Franklin also designed and painted one of the largest mural projects in Oklahoma history, for the Winstar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville which featured five large ceiling murals including a domed piece that is five stories across.
The Future of Mobility
As we celebrate the history of Route 66 this June, we will undoubtedly show off the gems of the past with our Classic Car Shows. But as we look forward to the next hundred years on the Mother Road, we will also showcase Navya Autonom® autonomous shuttles, which are quickly proving to be the future of sustainable mobility options here and around the globe.
Indoor Drive-In
One of the most eye-catching attractions at this year’s Road Fest will be the “Indoor Drive-In”. The oversized 27’ x 16’ movie screen, created with the architectural design of its day in mind, will bring you back to the heyday of America’s outdoor entertainment venue in the ’50s and ’60s…the drive-in. Our indoor drive-in will play to nearly 20 “cars” with room for up to four people per car to watch popular movies from the past capturing the spirit of the American Road Trip.
RV Park Experience
What says a Route 66 road trip more than classic RVs and campers around the campground? Our version of the RV Park & Rest Area will be made up of both vintage and modern RVs parked around the campground to give visitors a glimpse of yesteryear and showcase how people explore the road with all the comforts of home today. With their resurgence in popularity, RVs are selling out of showrooms and more readily seen across America’s highways, providing a private traveling experience for their passengers. So, whether it’s stepping back in time with a cool retro mini or the latest high-end motorhomes, this collection will have something for everyone.
Classic Car Show
The Cars that Cruised
Local and regional automobile clubs and enthusiasts will be invited to compete in a variety of categories. Large display areas will be provided just outside the main festival buildings for attendee viewing. Car lovers and owners of all makes and models will partake in this event, spanning the automobile’s history from the early Model-T’s to the autonomous vehicles of the future.
