This is what you've been waiting for all year ... Classics ... Corvettes ... Motorbikes ... Mustangs and more ... hundreds and hundreds of the best and the most unique and collectible vehicles on display throughout historic downtown Springfield. If it's on wheels and has an engine, it's probably here at the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival, Sept 24-26.

The Prairie Heart Institute Route 66 City Nights Cruise will again officially kick off the festival on Friday night. The car cruise begins at 7pm, departing from the IL Dept of Transportation parking lot at 2300 East Dirksen Pkwy. After winding through the city along portions of historic Route 66, the cars will cruise onto the festival grounds where they will be on display throughout the evening festivities. The downtown festival site will open and stage entertainment will begin at 6pm.

Last year's spectators couldn't get enough of the parading cars, so a second cruise night will be added this year. Saturday night's car cruise will leave from Sixth & Cook St at 7pm and will end at the IL Dept of Transportation building, the location of the Route 66 Dance Party, which begins at 8pm. The Friday and Saturday night cruise lead cars will carry dragster king "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Horsepower TV's Chuck Hanson, TV & screen star Martin Milner and Springfield Mayor Timothy Davlin. Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn will join the Saturday night cruise.

Both car cruises are free and open to all participants and their sweet rides. Or just line up the lawn chairs and drag out the coolers for the best seat in the house at the best car cruise west of the Mississippi.

The original gray-primered '55 Chevy from the 1971 cult film Two-lane Blacktop, which featured James Taylor, Dennis Wilson & Warren Oates, makes its first festival appearance. This famous icon in American car culture was seemingly lost for decades until it recently resurfaced in Canada. There is no doubt it's the original; you can even see the some of the mounting brackets for the camera platforms that were welded to the frame.

There is even the hint of a reunion between celebrity guest Martin Milner and the '55. It even had a role in an episode of the TV series "Adam-12".

The festival is proud to have the Illinois National Guard Patriot Hummer. This fully customized Hummer has all the extras, including a patriotic custom paint job, a top-notch stereo system and a Play Station 2. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind Hummer.

Car enthusiasts can discover the secrets to "tricked out" killer rides at Restoration Alley's FREE car clinics with special guest & clinic host Chuck Hanson, star of TNN's Horsepower TV. Car clinics will include a variety of topics including metal fabrication, welding, car detailing, auto-body and engine rebuilds, dress-ups and more.

This year's car show also showcases a group of 14 British Morgan Sportscars enthusiasts. They will include a 2-day stop at the festival on their Route 66 road trip from Chicago to LA. The classic curves of the hand-built Morgan are famous the world over. It is the only car in the world to be granted a patent for its shape.

Master airbrush artist Ed Lozano Jr. of Apachegraphics Studio, will be on hand to custom paint vehicle portraits. These original works of art on canvas are mounted in tire frames for a truly unique souvenir of the festival experience.

Gaze upon an original one-owner, a 1963 Split-window Corvette, or peruse this year's new lineup of unique vehicles in Levi, Ray & Shoup Inc.'s Monet of Cars.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang, some local custom speed shops will be revvin' up the car show site with a few of their favorite Mustangs, including a '69 with a 429-c.i. engine and a '66 convertible body all powered up in 21st-century technology.

Watch for special appearances by drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, with Swamp Rat Too, along with 18-year-old ARCA RE/MAX racing sensation Justin Allgaier, who will be featured in the Hilton Springfield Kids Lane. The Great American Swap Meet, located in the southwest corner of the festival grounds, is a great place to pick up a special part, buy automobile memorabilia or just "talk cars" with a few good friends.

Last year more than 700 vehicles were displayed during the three-day International Route 66 Mother Road Festival. Register online, www.route66fest or call (866) RTE-66IL.

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Media Contact: Sharon Johnson +1 (217) 789-2360, ext 136 sjohnson@springfield.il.us