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A Night on the Mother Road: The National Route 66 Centennial Telegraph Ball
May 2 @ 6:00 pm CDT
Springfield returns to center stage for the Route 66 Centennial with an evening of elegance, history, and open-road spirit at the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque. The National Route 66 Centennial Telegraph Ball debuts May 2, 2026, hosted by Missouri’s First Lady Claudia Kehoe and Springfield’s First Lady Mary Helen Schrag.
This formal event honors the moment in 1926 when a telegram sent from Springfield helped secure the name “Route 66,” forever linking the city to the Mother Road’s origin story.
Why This Evening Matters
Completed in 1923, the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque was once the largest auditorium west of the Mississippi and welcomed legendary performers including Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Ella Fitzgerald, and Elvis Presley. Its Moorish architecture, soaring arches, and iconic stage provide a fitting backdrop for a centennial celebration rooted in both culture and community.
An Evening of Dining, Music, and Celebration
Guests will enjoy a formal dinner, music by the Angel City Swing Orchestra, and a live auction featuring rare memorabilia and unique experiences. The event will be attended by Governor Mike Kehoe, Mayor Jeff Schrag, and other distinguished guests.
Under stained-glass windows and the glow of the grand dome, the evening reflects the optimism and energy of Springfield in 1926—when the road ahead promised adventure and possibility.
Tickets & Support
$500 per individual
$5,000 per table of eight (includes additional Main Street sponsorship-level perks)
Proceeds from the Telegraph Ball support Mother Road preservation efforts, helping ensure Route 66’s roads, landmarks, and stories remain part of America’s landscape for the next century.
This is more than a formal gala—it’s a centennial tribute in the very city where Route 66 was born.
