Route 66 Centennial Caravan and 72oz Steak Challenge

The Route 66 Centennial Caravan and 72oz Steak Challenge is making a stop at the New Mexico History Museum and the Santa Fe Plaza on Saturday, June 13, 1 – 7 p.m. The caravan brings attention to the original Route 66 alignment through Santa Fe, where the Palace of the Governors and Santa Fe Plaza were important stopping points for travelers.

The event kicks off with “Route” beer floats served in the History Museum’s Palace of the Governors courtyard at 1 p.m. courtesy of the Museum of New Mexico Women’s Board. Around 2 p.m. the Route 66 Centennial Caravan of historic cars will drive into the Plaza and park for the rest of the day. At 3 p.m. listen to local dignitaries and special guests honor 100 years of the historic route. DJ Christina Swilley will be spinning 50’s and 60’s tunes at this family-friendly event. The 72oz Steak Challenge, presented by The Big Texan Steak Ranch® and Santa Fe’s Bull Ring steakhouse will begin at 5:30 p.m. The caravan hits the road again at 7 p.m., heading to its next stop in Santa Rosa, NM.

Activities inside the museum are included with museum admission and events on the Santa Fe Plaza are free.

Schedule of Events:

1 – 3 PM: “Route” Beer Floats courtesy of the Museum of New Mexico Women’s Board in the museum’s Palace of the Governors courtyard (while supplies last)

2 PM: NMPBS Route 66 show screenings in the museum auditorium

2 PM: Classic car caravan drives into the Plaza

Music with DJ Christina Swilley spinning 50’s & 60’s tunes

3 PM: Public welcome with local dignitaries and special guests

Tabling with official NM Route 66 Artist Darryl Willison and New Mexico History Museum

5:30 – 6:30 PM: 72oz Steak Challenge presented by Big Texan Steak Ranch® and Bull Ring

7 PM: Classic car caravan departs to its next stop - Santa Rosa, NM

About the Steak Challenge:

The Santa Fe Steak Challenge dares contestants to consume a massive four-and-a-half-pound steak along with a baked potato, 3 shrimp, side salad, and a roll in under one hour. Steak will be provided by Big Texan Steak Ranch® and side dishes by the Bull Ring. People interested in competing need to post a video or message on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok explaining why they’re the perfect candidate, tagging @thebigtexan and including their city as a hashtag for consideration.

Special thanks to our partners: City of Santa Fe, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan, Big Texan Steak Ranch®, Route 66 Association of New Mexico, Museum of New Mexico Women’s Board, Bull Ring restaurant, Darryl Willison, Christina Swilley, and Caitlin Krantz.

About National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP)

NTHP is a privately funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic sites; tell the full American story; build stronger communities; and invest in preservation’s future. The NTHP’s Preserve Route 66 initiative advocates for permanent, federal National Historic Trail designation for the historic route and provides grants and other assistance to legacy businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies serving Route 66.

About The Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan

Organized by the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, the caravan provides an opportunity to highlight preservation success stories in all eight states that make up the Mother Road. It also serves as a call to action for future preservation needs that can be supported by the Road Ahead’s Route 66 Centennial Preservation and Economic Development Grant Program. Learn more at www.route66caravan.com.

 Image courtesy of Darryl Willison, Willison West Studios.