Route 66 tour runs through southern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A rolling Route 66 festival is expected to drive through nearly 20 southern Illinois communities this summer.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/19947mC ) the Blue Carpet Corridor driving tour will make stops in communities from Chatham to Collinsville closely following the old Route 66.

Participating cities are hosting, car shows and other attractions as part of the tour. It is the southern Illinois version of the Red Carpet Corridor that runs from Joliet to Towanda.

Tour organizers say the events are intended to promote the corridors as year-round destinations. Plans are in the works to add a third tour that would connect Springfield and Bloomington in central Illinois.

The Blue Carpet Corridor tour runs June 13-14.

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Online: http://www.bluecarpetcorridor.org/