Route 66 Tractor Drive – a Collaboration.

Della Niemann had been telling us for months not to worry about anything for the Route 66 Tractor Drive. She said whenever they had an event, all was good. No worries. God had always blessed them and bless us he did. Saturday June 20th dawned sunny and balmy. Temperatures topped 80 after days of violent stormy weather. The day shined on our Route 66 tractor drive.

This idea has been in the works for quite some time. At a Mid-State Collector’s Club in Litchfield, Illinois that we belong to, it was mentioned that a tractor drive might be a fun way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66. President of the club, Jim Niemann took the idea and rolled with it. After meeting together, and several phone calls, the drive was on

Sponsored by the Mid-State Collector’s Club, it was an event that took a group of dedicated volunteers, local businesses, local government, and friends and family lending a helping hand.

Months, really a year long period of preparation culminated in the big day.

The eve of the ride.

The night before the big event, we saw that some tractors had arrived the night before. As directed, we went and placed notices on their windshields that Della had designed. Keith had hauled three tractors for the big day. We were ready.

To celebrate, we ate supper splitting an amazing prime rib dinner at the Ariston. I was excited to share news with the owner. I saw the book that Carrie Stienweg and I have been working on, Unique Eats & Eateries of Illinois can now be pre-ordered. After being seated in a corner booth, I made Keith put his phone aside. It had been ringing non-stop for the past month. I wanted a minute to savor the moment and his company.

The Staging

Jim Niemann said the biggest challenge of the event was parking. Volunteer Ken Reichert painstakingly created signs. They helped direct drivers where to go, and where to park.

The local police force was on it. They kept the streets clear. We arrived at 5:45 a good fifteen minutes behind some of the other volunteers that were already setting up the registration tables that would open at 7:00 a.m.

Volunteers were ready to go as the sun rose in the sky.

Crowds began to gather. Dennis Aumann was set up with his auction truck with a speaker system.

Early Arrival activity

Some early arrivals went to Jubelts Bakery & Restaurant for breakfast. They offered free coffee to drivers! One such early arrival was Glenn Smith. He traveled from Rochester, Indiana. “I saw it on Facebook and I said, ‘I have to do that,'” he said about the drive. “It is once in a lifetime event.”

This John Deere collector added he used to watch the Route 66 TV show religiously.

Keith and Mark Dozier who also volunteered headed to Jubelts as well. I admit to having a delectable nutty butter donut.

Visitors stopped in at the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center . This is where the drive began. Carol Sneed, President, Dale Weidler Board Member and Anne Jackson of the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center posed for me. Thank you to the museum and staff for welcoming our drivers and visitors to your beautiful town

By the time to start around 9:15, 157 tractor drivers were counted. Plus 20 riders.

It was fun seeing the varieties of Route 66 shirts. This one depicted the joining of Route 4, 16 and 66 in Staunton. This mural in Staunton was visible during our drive.

Besides the Route 66 shirts others were decked out with patriotic fashion. That was a good reminder that this was not only the 100th birthday of Route 66. It is also the 250th for the U.S.

Opening ceremony

The event kicked off with Jim Niemann giving a short speech.

Then Terry Niemann gave a prayer. Then he and his friend sang a beautiful National Anthem acapella! Litchfield Royalty, the Junior Miss Litchfield Chamber 2025 and Little Miss Litchfield Chamber 2025, came out to pose.

We were honored to have Litchfield Tourism Director Stacie Peecher stop by. She posed with Keith and Carol Sneed before the engines roared!

They are off!

Terry Niemann made the comment; wouldn’t it be great if you could record a ring tone of all those engines starting up. It is a sound I wish I could bottle. Jim Niemann led the drive with his 1959 Allis Chalmers WD.

The line stretched a good three miles. With Keith, Mark Dozier and Dennis Aumann’s auction truck coming up the rear.

The local police force stuck with us along the way. They were invaluable in ensuring safety during the drive.

The First Stop

One of the stops along the way for the tractor drivers in Bono Implements at Staunton, Illinois.

The little Bono girls (ages nine and ten) set up selling snacks and drinks.

Did you purchase of a drink? Then you got a collectible, commemorative koozie!

Dairy Queen

Lunch was served at the Staunton Dairy Queen. The Super 8 was also great. They opened their parking lot for our crew.

Della and Jim had been working with Becky and her staff for almost a year. Their organizational skills could be marketed into a course.

They were ready for our hungry crew!

A Wrap

After the DQ, the group traveled back to Litchfield. We had a few other tractors join us and we estimate there were around 170 all in all.

A couple tractors had issues. It was a bit warm. But, overall, we were blessed, and it was a one of a kind, once in a lifetime event for the books. Thank you to everyone that was a part of this.

What is your Route 66 story? I’d love to hear.