The Route 66 Fly wheelers got their beginnings in 1991, when
Catoosa Mayor, Curtis Conely invited a local engine collector to contact some
fellow engine enthusiasts and set up a display at the city's Independence Day
Festival, Liberty Fest. There was a parade down the city's main thoroughfare, a
band in the gazebo, and a small group of engine people. The display seemed to be
well received by the people of Catoosa and the group was invited back the next
year. The gathering grew steadily over the next few years, still being just a
group of, mostly local, folks with kindred spirits.
In the mid 1990s, Catoosa opted to move Liberty Fest to Rogers Landing, located
at Route 66 and the Verdigris River. This was a good move for the city, as
there was more space, better facilities for the amount of people, and a place
for a really great fireworks display. This sort of left the engine people being
a small group in a large show. Once again Mayor Conley to the rescue. The third
Saturday and Sunday of October was proclaimed Catoosa's Fall festival. The first
fall Festival was engines and an evening street dance with live music held at
the city park between new 66 and Historic Route 66 (site of the original Liberty
Fest). This being October and the evening temperatures hovering near the forty
degree mark, the dance was a one year event. The next year was the first that
the group felt we should advertise. Fliers were printed, a local radio station
did some advertising and the show grew. With the growth came a need for all
things we associate with engine shows (buttons, plaques, and advertising). In
the past the exhibitors had always picked up these expenses, as there was no
club, no dues, and no money (until then there were no buttons, plaques and
limited advertising). In 1997, a member took it upon himself to start supplying
the show with buttons' at his own expense. While our group had always fed our
exhibitors, spectators started wanting to eat with us and discuss engines. They
always offered to pay, but the money was always refused. We first advertised
nationally in 1998. In filling out the paperwork, the blank, club name,
appeared. There had never been a "club", let alone a club name. It had always
just been the Catoosa show. That night the Route 66 Fly wheeler “Oklahoma’s
non-club” was born. That year there was an article written and published,
fliers were printed and the show grew more. A lot! The food supply at that
show was starting to look a little short, with all that wanted to eat. The
problem was handled by everyone pitching in and donating more. People were still
asking, "How much for supper?" With the added cost of success, we reluctantly
set out a donation jar. Wow! We had no idea how much people appreciated us.
We had never charged anything for exhibiting, flea market spaces or admission,
and with the generosity of our people, we should never have to. We have grown
steadily year after year, with 2003 being beyond our wildest expectations.
Forty seven registered exhibitors (around 150 engines, as well as garden
tractors, mowers and agricultural exhibits), plus vendors. We are primarily an
engine show, but always have a few tractors and usually a great display of cars,
trucks and motorcycles.
Our 2006 show dates are October 14th and 15th. Please contact Mike at this web
site for more information.