Theme: Celebrating the Centennial of Historic Route 66

You do not want to miss the highly-anticipated 11^th National Rally in Oklahoma. Oklahoma, known as the Sooner State, is the state with the most drivable miles (400) along Historic Route 66. Camping will be at the spacious Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, OK. Shawnee, with a population of approximately 31,000, has three museums, five casinos (owned by four tribes), and hosts world, national, and state-wide rodeos year-round. Nearly three dozen hand-painted horses (by local artists) stand proudly around town. Nearby is Oklahoma City, known for its cowboy culture with its many world-class museums, a National Memorial, art galleries, boutiques, and vintage shopping.

At the national rally you will have a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and make new friends, too. It includes entertainment, speakers, a Meet & Greet, the biennial club business meeting (for all club members), a technical seminar, afternoon tea, door prizes, catered meals, two breakfasts, one heavy appetizer, one dinner buffet, a pizza party, a charity benefit drive, a coach open house, fun, fellowship and great times. Additionally, with the Historic Route 66 Centennial fast approaching in 2026, we will celebrate its 100^th anniversary a few months early with an optional "guided" motorcoach tour (see details below).

Route 66, which runs through the heart of Oklahoma, was established in 1926 and wound 2,400 miles through eight states from Chicago to Los Angeles. It eventually became a symbol of the American people's heritage of travel and their legacy of seeking a better life. However, with the construction of President Eisenhower's Interstate Highway System (1956-1992), Route 66 lost much of its traffic and was decommissioned as a federal highway in 1985. It is still highly celebrated through literature, film, and song. Interestingly, about 85% is still drivable (if you know where to look).

The optional "guided" motorcoach tour provided by Simply Travel LLC includes:

1. Travel on a portion of Historic Route 66 (The Mother Road) with stops including:
• Route 66 Interpretive Center
• Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History
• Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum
• The Historic Round Barn
• and more
2. Exploring the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (lunch included)
3. Walking tour of the forty-five huge bronze sculptures of the Centennial Land Run Monument
4. Driving tour through Shawnee's beautiful painted horse statues (hand-painted by local artists)
5. Stopping for ice cream at Braum's (established in 1933)