Route 66: The Main Street of America. That was one of the first marketing campaigns launched by the U.S. Highway 66 Association that was established in early 1927. The slogan still works. Route 66 has become America’s longest small town and that storied old highway is the Main Street from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California.

Kingman figures prominently in the Route 66 story. The 1932 U.S. Highway 66 Association convention was held in Kingman. And along with Flagstaff and Winona, Kingman is one of the Arizona towns immortalized in a catchy little tune about getting your kicks on Route 66. It was in Kingman during the 2014 International Route 66 Festival that the annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference was launched. Also at this event that a European Route 66 festival was first discussed.

The Road of Dreams

From its inception Route 66 was sold as the road of dreams. For legions of international enthusiasts it still is, and the old highway may be more popular than at any time in its history. Recently Markku Jaakkola, a Finnish Mopar enthusiast from Royal Oak, Michigan, and Jacob Gilbert of Port Huron, Michigan made a pit stop in Kingman during their Route 66 adventure. The Route 66 Centennial Legacy Tour in a 1973 Chrysler New Yorker honored Markku’s late friend Hans Granberg. It was designated an offical Route 66 centennial program. Part of their trip including the Kingman pit stop was chronicled by Brandon Gillogly in an article for Hagerty Insurance.

“Stopping for lunch in Kingman, Arizona, we were joined by author, podcaster, and historian Jim Hinckley. Jim is a treasure trove of Route 66 knowledge that spans the length of the Mother Road and its history, even before its construction. He lives in Kingman and is well-versed in the local history there, as well..” After lunch at Calico’s restaurant a walking tour of the historic disrict was provided.

Jaakola and Gilbert had previously been a guest on Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim Hinckley’s America, and discussed their upcoming Route 66 trip. And on the program of August 9, they returned to the program after finisihing their journey to the end of Route 66. That episode also featured a conversation with author Cheryl Eichar Jett about her new book, Aprons Away, and an upcoming book singing in Kingman.

Upcoming Events

Cheryl Eichar Jett is the author of seven books (three collaborations, four solo books). She also wrote the Illinois Chapter for Route 66: 100 Years a Route 66, centennial anthology edited by author Jim Hinckley. She has also written several hundred feature articles for various publications and is the founder of the annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference.

On Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 Jett will be signing copies of Aprons Away at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner Gift Shop in the historic Dunton Mootors dealership building, 119 E Andy Devine Avenue in Kingman, Arizona. Author Jim Hinckley will also be signing books as well as answering questions about Route 66.

For more information about upcoming events, there is an extensive calendar on the Kingman Tours website. This list of upcoming events was provided by Joyce Wiley of the Kingman Office of Tourism.

August 14 – Family Indoor Bingo Night – City of Kingman, Parks & Recreation presents a thrilling bingo action with great prizes and a family dinner. Includes cheese burger/hamburger, chips, salad, lemonade & water, dessert, and a bingo card! $1 extra Bingo Card. Cost: $12 per person (pre-registered), $15 at the door (with meal) $10 at the door (1 card & no meal). Friday 6pm – 9pm. Register today at 3333 Harrison St, 928-757-7919 or rec1.cityofkingman.gov. Location of event: Kingman Academy Middle School Gym, 3269 Harrison St, Kingman.

August 15, 22, 29 – Kingman’s Market in the Park – Join us for Kingman’s Market in the Park! You will find an array of products including baked goods, local produce, clothing, hand-made arts & crafts, and so much more! Saturday 8am – 12pm. Location: Lewis Kingman Park, 2201 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman.

9^th Annual Monsoon Madness 5k run/walk – 9th Annual Monsoon Madness 5k run/walk to support the Lee Williams Cross Country team. The race starts at White Cliffs Middle School and makes a look out in the desert. The setting is beautiful, and the race is awesome. There are awards for the Overall Male and Female runners, the top Master Male and Female runners, top 3 in each age group, and for the top KUSD alumni. $35 for adults, $20 for students. Race starts at 7am. Location: White Cliffs Middle School, 3550 Prospector St, Kingman. For more information call 928-275-7679.

August 15 – Chillin’ on Beale – Bring your car down for a fun time. This month the theme will be Beach Party. Cruise on down to Beale Street at Locomotive Park for classic cars and down-home Kingman atmosphere! Saturday 3pm to 6pm. Free and open to the public – vehicle spots open. Location: Locomotive Park, 310 W Beale St, Kingman. Contact June Painter at 818-606-0411 for more information.

August 16 – Sale-A-Brations Vendor Fair Grab your family, girlfriends, boyfriends, neighbors, everyone and head down to the air conditioned Beale Celebrations Building in Historic Downtown Kingman and check out all the artisans and crafts people we have. There are soaps and lotions, candles and birdhouses, jewelry, journals, quilted and hand sewn good as well as home baked breads and sweets. AND so much more for your browsing and shopping pleasure. Brooklyn Rice & Soul will be there serving up their amazing cuisine for your dining pleasure. Location: Beale Celebrations, 201 N 4^th St., Kingman. Sunday 10am – 3pm. For more information call 928.753.6253 or visit www.kingmanchamber.com/.

August 20 – 22, 27 – 29 – My Fair Lady at Beale Street Theater – Join Beale Street Theater as we perform one of the greatest musicals of all time. Lerner and Loewe’s award-winning My Fair Lady makes its way to Kingman, Arizona! Eliza Doolittle is a young flower seller with an unmistakable Cockney accent which keeps her in the lower rungs of Edwardian society. When Professor Henry Higgins tries to teach her how to speak like a proper lady, an unlikely friendship begins to flourish. Shows are at 7pm with 1pm matinee on Saturdays. Tickets: $15 – $35 for adults, $10 – $20 Teens (12 – 17), $5 – $15 Kids (4-11). Location: Beale Street Theater, 302 Beale St, Kingman. For tickets and information visit https://www.bealestreettheater.com/.

August 21 – Movie at the Park – Bring your blankets, chairs and good vibes to enjoy an outdoor movie at Centennial Park. The big screen will show “Superman”. Concessions will be open. A community night and fun for all ages. Location: Centennial Park, 3333 Harrison St, Kingman. For more information call 928-757-7919.

August 21 & 22 – America 250 Exhibit at Mohave Museum of History and Arts – Join the Mohave County Historical Society on Friday, August 21st and Saturday, August 22nd at the Mohave Museum of History & Arts as we celebrate the opening of our new America 250 Exhibit. This exhibit features student exhibits created by Manzanita Elementary School’s 2025-2026 5th Grade Classes. We will have hands-on activities for the community, including our “Dear America” postcard project. Kids get in free. Locals 18+ free with ID. The Mohave Museum is open 9am-4pm on 8/21 and 8/22. Final admission is 3:30pm. Location: Mohave Museum, 400 W Beale St, Kingman. Please email Leah Stagg at director@mohavemuseum.org with questions or call (928) 753-3195.

August 22 – 2^nd Annual JAVC Golf Tournament at Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course – Join us for a day of fun, friendly competition, and community impact at the 2nd Annual JAVC Golf Tournament—a fundraiser dedicated to supporting critical needs for local veterans in Mohave County. This event brings together local leaders, sponsors, and supporters for a day of 18 holes, prizes, and purpose. All proceeds go toward veteran support services including transitional housing, education, mental health resources, and transportation assistance. Shotgun start: 8am. Player registration includes: 18 holes of golf, lunch provided and entry into prizes & raffles. Location: Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course, 1001 Gates Ave, Kingman. For more information or to register call 928-880-5091. You can also register at javc.org/golf or email events@javc.org.

August 29 – Elks #468 Golf Tournament at Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course – Shotgun start: 8am. $150 per player. Register and payment at Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course. Deadline August 25 at 12pm. Limited to 144 players. Buy in includes: Cash prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd gross & net (can not win both). Team skins, closest to the pin and lunch. Location: Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course, 1001 Gates Ave, Kingman. For more information or to register call 928-753-6593.