2008 - Route 66 Red Carpet Activities List

WELCOME TO CHENOA

Chenoa has seen many changes through the years, but many of the places frequented by travelers of days gone by are still here today.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the spirit of the people. You will still find friendly folks who leave the welcome mat out and would love to share a cup of coffee and a story with you.

So … cruise the Mother Road and stop to visit Chenoa. We’d love to meet you!

Chenoa Facts

Established 1854 – Matthew T. Scott was the first developer.
Population: 1835
Route 66 originally came into town on what is now Morehead Street.
1996 Class 1A State Football Champions

Some famous (at least locally famous) folks that are from Chenoa

Stan Albeck – Former coach of Chicago Bulls
Norm Eash – Illinois Wesleyan Head Football Coach
Tom McIntire – TV 25 (Peoria) News Anchor
W.D. Nehr – Artist and sculptor (see some of his work on the outside of the building at 231 Green St.)
Dan Rutherford – Illinois State Senator
Julia Scott – Organizer of DAR
O.B. Streeper – Invented “The Boss” rescue equipment
Dale Streid – Invented the first jet engine

The following locations are not on the Treasure Hunt – but don’t miss driving by.

Steve’s Cafe – 305 Morehead Street (old, old U.S. Route 66) Reputed to have the best steaks and pies between Chicago and St. Louis. The building still stands at its original location but is now an apartment building.

W. D. Nehr Building – 231 Green Street (downtown) Originally built by famed artist/sculptor W. D. Nehr, now houses a private business. The outside of the building still showcases some of Nehr’s work.

Looking for a photo opportunity? Check out these downtown murals.

TREASURE HUNT
****PRIZES****PRIZES****PRIZES****PRIZES****

Murder, mystery, and history – discover some of Chenoa’s hidden secrets as you explore the businesses and historic sites in an attempt to become the Treasure Hunt Grand Prize WINNER.

Just visit any or all of the Treasure Hunt sites. At each location, you will be given a playing card (while supplies last). You may collect as many playing cards as you want, but you can only receive one card from each location. At the end of your Treasure Hunt, turn in your best 5-card hand to the Chenoa information booth downtown for a chance to win the coveted TREASURE! The best poker hand wins! See complete rules below.

PRIZES – The first 500 participants will receive wonderful souvenirs. There will be six Door Prizes for those who find the “real” Treasure Chests hidden at various Treasure Hunt locations. (Limit of one Treasure Chest Door Prize per person.) At the end of the day, the best hand will win the Grand Prize. In the event of a tie, a drawing will be held. Door Prizes will be awarded throughout the day to those who find the Treasure Chests. The Grand Prize will be mailed to the winner. Names of all winners will be posted at www.chenoail.org GOOD LUCK!!!

Treasure Hunt Rules

You must visit at least five different participating Treasure Hunt sites and collect a playing card from each one. If you wish, you may visit more sites and turn in your best hand.
You must turn in your hand at Chenoa City Hall and complete the Treasure Hunt form to qualify.
The best hand turned in by 5:00 p.m. will be awarded the Treasure Hunt Grand Prize. A drawing will be held in case of a tie.
The first 500 Treasure Hunt participants who turn in a five-card hand will receive an unnumbered, Limited Edition Souvenir.
Six Door Prizes will be awarded to the first participant to find the Treasure Chest at each of the six locations where one is hidden. These locations are not named. Each Treasure Chest is numbered, corresponding to a particular Door Prize, and must be turned in at City Hall to claim the Door Prize. Limit of one Door Prize per participant.
Grand Prize winner will be notified by phone. Grand Prize will be mailed to the winner if not present.
Each participating Treasure Hunt site will have a limited number of playing cards.
Not all Treasure Hunt sites are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hands will be ranked as follows from Highest to Lowest:

Royal Flush
Straight Flush
Four of a Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight
Three of a Kind
Two Pair
Pair
High Card

Treasure Hunt Locations

Bell’s Antiques - 1000 E. Cemetery Avenue (U.S. Route 24 East) Discover the treasures of days-gone-by in this great antique store.

Chenoa Historical Society - 239 Green Street (downtown) The Society has many old pictures of Chenoa and information on our history, such as the story of the many fires in Chenoa, the coal mines, the Chenoa Centennial, and much more. Route 66 memorabilia and souvenirs are available for purchase.

Chenoa Pharmacy - 209 Green Street (downtown) Member of the Illinois Route 66 Association Hall of Fame. Step back into time as you visit this historic building which remains much the same as when it was originally built.

Chenoa Public Library – 211 S. Division Street (south of Central Park) Visit this historic building and ask about its life prior to being a library. There will be a terrific BOOK SALE in the basement. You are sure to find something of interest to you.

Chenoa Variety Store – 1002 E. Cemetery Avenue (U.S. Route 24 East) The store name says it all – variety abounds in this small town shop.

Green St. Art Studio - 211 Green Street (downtown) Originally a bank, complete with an old bank robbery and MURDER story; this building has been creatively updated by a local artist and is now an Art Studio and home to the artist and his family.

Kat-E-Korner – Corner of U.S. Route 24 and Morehead Street (old U.S. Route 66) Originally a restaurant known for its fabulous burgers and tenderloins, this historic building now houses a doll shop.

Redbird Antique Mall – 100 E. Cemetery Avenue (U.S. Route 24 East) Lovers of antiques and antique tractors won’t want to miss stopping at this treasure filled antique store.

Matthew T. Scott House – 225 N. First Ave. This historic home was built ca.1855 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was bought and restored by Mrs. Elizabeth Stevenson Ives, great niece of Matthew T. Scott.

Wells Amish Furniture Warehouse – 102 E. Cemetery Avenue (U.S. Route 24 East) If you like quality oak furniture, this is the store for you. The beauty and quality is unmatched anywhere.

Chenoa City Hall - 201 S. Green St. (downtown) TURN IN YOUR TREASURE HUNT POKER HAND HERE! Originally a bank, this building is now home to the Chenoa Police Department and City Hall.

MAY 3 - 4, 2008 RT. 66 RED CARPET CORRIDOR WEEKEND ACTIVITY LIST (also more information below)
ACTIVITY	WHERE	DESCRIPTION	DATE	TIME
Festival Marketplace	Downtown	Antiques, Crafts, Food & Entertainment	Saturday Sunday	8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
City Wide Garage Sales	Maps available	Something for everyone!	Friday Saturday	8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Entertainment -- DJ Step it Up Productions	Downtown Gazebo	Local DJ spins your favorite tunes and emcees the entertainment	Saturday Sunday	10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Goldwing Motorcycle Club	Downtown	Check out these bikes!	Saturday	9:00 a.m.
Treasure Hunt	Various	Pick up details downtown	Saturday	9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Bake Sale	City Hall - Downtown	Chenoa Women's Club annual baking extravaganza	Saturday	8:30 a.m. - noon
Quilt Show	224 Weir Street	Trinity Lutheran Church displays beautiful quilts hand crafted by local members	Saturday	9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Book Sale	211 South Division St.	Chenoa Public Library	Saturday	10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
4-H Club	Downtown	Games for kids	Saturday	10:00 a.m. - noon
Entertainment -- Mike Porter	Downtown Gazebo	Returning from last year - Entertainment direct from Nashville. Mike is the North American Country Music Association's International winner of the Songwriter of the year and album of the year. He has performed at the KY Opry, Spoon River Drive Fest. and many more!	Saturday	2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Red Hot On-the-Go Gymnastics	Downtown Gazebo	Local kids show off their athletic abilities.	Saturday	4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dream Machines	Downtown	These custom automobiles will transport you!	Sunday	Noon
Entertainment -- Bill Betts Fun Time Band	Downtown Gazebo	Local Senior Citizens display their many talents and patriotism!	Sunday	Noon
Joliet Antique Car Club	Downtown/ Methodist Church	A wide range of antique cars going back as far as the Ford Model A	Sunday	12:30 p.m.
Multi-denominational Gospel Music Hour	Downtown Gazebo	With special guest Praise Band from Pontiac Methodist Church	Sunday	1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Entertainment -- Anjanel Folkens	Downtown Gazebo	Returning from last year - Anjanel is the North American Country Music Association's International winner of the Female Entertainer of the year & Rising Star Award. She has performed at the Illinois Opry and frequently sings the Star Spangled Banner all over Illinois.	Sunday	2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Red Hot On-the-Go Gymnastics	Downtown Gazebo	Local kids show off their athletic abilities.	Sunday	4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

2008
Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Events

The Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Event will be held on May 3rd & 4th. Plan to spend a weekend on this self-guided driving tour to towns and rural areas along the "Mother Road." Each town on the tour will be producing it's own event. Entertainment, garage sales, antiques, food, historic sites, and many other attractions. This will be 90 miles of family fun.

Chenoa is planning to provide food, entertainment, garage sales, vendors, historical sites and antiques. We want to make your stop as pleasant as possible.

Entertainment on Saturday, May 3rd will be Mr. Mike Porter from Nashville, Tennessee. Mike loves to sing and write contemporary country, but he also excels at classic country oldies/50's/Elvis rockabilly and gospel music. Mike was also the 2005 International Grand Champion Yodeler. He has opened for Loretta Lynn, Billy Walker and Phil Vasser to name a few.

Mike currently has 10 albums total, the most recent being "Nashville Ain't Gonna Come to Me." This album has already earned 2 International Awards. In March 2007 Mike was awarded NACMAI Songwriter of the Year (Holiday), for "It Just Don't Feel Like Christmas," also on the album.

He has been named Illinois Country Music Association's Songwriter of the Year, as well as Entertainer of the Year.

Anjanel Folkens will perform on Sunday afternoon. Anjanel lives in Danvers, Illinois and is a Graphic Designer at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois.

She has been singing the National Anthem at events such as; The Peoria Chiefs, Illinois State University men and women's basketball, the Bloomington Prairie Thunder Hockey team, the McLean County Heart Walk and many more.

Anjanel received the 2007 North American Country Music Association International Horizon Award for Female Entertainer and Rising Star Award for Female Vocalist in New/Modern Gospel.

Saturday and Sunday entertainment will be provided by Step It Up Productions who will DJ for us.

The Red Hot Tumblers have local kids show off their athletic abilities.

We will also be honored to present a local band that has gained quite a following in Chenoa. The Bill Betts Fun Time Band will provide the laughs and entertain us with their talents. This band is made up of some of Chenoa's retired people who still know how to have a lot of fun.

Chenoa invites everyone to come and enjoy some country fun in a small town on the Historic Route 66.

If you have any questions, please contact Joyce Nagel, 815-945-5163.

Red Carpet Corridor | chenoail.org