It's festival weekend on the Blue Carpet Corridor!

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The first official Illinois Route 66 Blue Carpet Corridor weekend isn't scheduled until one year from now, the second weekend of June 2015. However, by planning, chance, and coincidence, there is a festival or other event in almost every community in the Blue Carpet Corridor Region this second weekend of June 2014! Some are long-established events, some are new this year, and a number of the communities in Macoupin County on the Route 4/early Route 66 alignment have put together Blue Carpet Corridor "preview" events especially for this weekend. So much enthusiasm is growing in this area right now for tourism and preservation that it just warms this Route 66 tourism advocate's heart.




Now I want you to warm the heart of at least one of these communities this weekend if you live anywhere near any of them! Pick one, pick a half-dozen, but visit the Blue Carpet Corridor Region this weekend and see what we all have to offer! Keep in mind that not all events run all three days of the weekend. Following (in alphabetical order) are the communities, some highlights of their events, and a website or Facebook page link if there is one available.

 Auburn - Route 66 Preview Cruise-In (Saturday) with Iron Horse Band (from America's Got Talent), Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, vendors, flea market. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Auburn-Activities-Committee-AAC/519182821497271
Carlinville - Citywide Garage Sales (Saturday)

Edwardsville - Route 66 Festival (Friday-Saturday) with bands, car show, narrated trolley rides, History Tent, Illinois Motor Tour registration, authors Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett with two new Route 66 books. http://www.edwardsvilleroute66.com/

 Farmersville - Irish Days Festival (Thursday-Saturday) with live entertainment, chili cook-off, carnival. The 100th year! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Farmersville-Irish-Days/201449516549526

 Glen Carbon - Homecoming (Friday-Saturday) with live entertainment, Homecoming Parade, carnival rides, Covered Bridge 5k Run. http://www.glen-carbon.il.us/872/Homecoming

Hamel - Movie in the Park (Saturday) with movie "Frozen." http://villageofhamel.com/events.htm
 
Staunton - Citywide Yard Sales (Friday-Saturday)

Troy - First Annual Downtown Days (Friday-Saturday) with BBQ contest, unveiling of Walldogs Mural on Times-Tribune building, car show. http://www.troyil.us/index.aspx?NID=315

Virden - Citywide Garage Sales and Car Show (Friday-Saturday) 

 If I missed any that I was unaware of, please alert me so that I can add to the list. You'll also find flyers, posts, and information at https://www.facebook.com/BlueCarpetCorridor.

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