By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
With 7-1/2 miles of Route 66 crossing through Yukon, the city will host a rockabilly concert this Saturday night as part of a day-long, three-town celebration of the “Mother Road.”
“It will be a fun-filled day and evening,” Yukon Mayor Shelli Selby promised.
“We have been working on this event with the Tri-City council for over a year. It is a way to celebrate Route 66 and all three cities. I hope our community will check out the events in the other cities and they will come here to celebrate our rich heritage.”
The public is invited to a concert featuring honky-tonker Dale Watson and special guest Jimmy Dale Richardson set 5:30 p.m. June 18 at Fourth and Main in downtown Yukon.
Food trucks will be on-site and Lights, Glamper, Action will be out there with their photo booth.
This will be a “neat, unique celebration of Route 66 … right on the Mother Road,” said Jenna Roberson, the City of Yukon’s public information officer.
Yukon city officials hope to make this is “annual festival” – especially with the Route 66 centennial coming in 2026, according to Robertson.
The cities of Yukon, Warr Acres and Bethany have partnered to present the Route 66 Triple Tour featuring all free festivities.
“We have been working for two years on it in conjunction with Bethany and Warr Acres,” said Mayor Selby, a member of the Yukon 66 Main Street board.
Oklahoma has the longest drivable stretch of Route 66 of any state – more than 400 miles.
TALENT SHOWCASED
Nathan Cross of Grady’s 66 Pub has helped event organizers find this Saturday’s talented concert performers.
Headliner Watson has flown the flag for classic honky-tonk for more than two decades.
A country music maverick, Watson is a true outlaw who stands alongside George Strait, Jennings and Nelson as one of the finest country singers and songwriters from Texas.
Meanwhile, Richardson brings new life to the obscure art of traditional honky tonk, rockabilly and jump blues – as well as other music genres.
Warr Acres and Bethany will have their own activities this Saturday for the Route 66 Triple Tour celebration.
Warr Acres will host a car show, touch-a-truck, entertainment, and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bethany will have a city-wide yard sale, downtown sidewalk sales, classic car poker run and more from noon to 4 p.m.
Attention will shift to Yukon from 4:30-8:30 p.m. for the concert and food trucks.
