Route 66 Centennial Shield Dedicated at Historic 66 Drive-In in Carthage

CARTHAGE, Mo. —  Rain couldn’t dampen the mood as a new 12-foot-tall Route 66 Centennial shield was officially dedicated at the entrance of the iconic 66 Drive-In Theatre, marking Jasper County's contribution to Missouri's celebration of the Mother Road's 100th anniversary.

The ceremony as held at 10 a.m. at 17231 Old 66 Blvd., showcasing the interactive 3D landmark — an oversized replica of the classic black-and-white Route 66 shield with cut-out "6"s designed for photo opportunities — now stands prominently just behind the drive-in's ticket booth, welcoming visitors as they arrive for a night under the stars.

Nathan McDonald, owner and operator of the 66 Drive-In Theatre, described the day as really exciting. "Not only is the theater itself an icon to the community and to the Route 66 family itself, but add the shield... The road sign just really means a lot... Just as an extra piece to the theater itself."

McDonald added that having a new roadside attraction at an established historic landmark is a great honor. "Not only will our local patrons enjoy it, and we welcome travelers from around the world to capture a keepsake photo at the new shield."

The Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission created a grant program that funded one such interactive shield in each of the 10 Missouri counties — plus the City of St. Louis — through which Historic Route 66 passes. The shields serve as public landmarks for travelers to interact with, snap photos, and learn about the highway's rich history.

The 66 Drive-In, which opened its 2026 season just days earlier on April 3, is one of the last original drive-in theaters still operating along the historic route. Originally opened in 1949, it closed in 1985 but was lovingly restored and reopened in 1998. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, the theater retains much of its mid-century charm, including its original 66-foot screen house, stuccoed concession stand, glass-block ticket booth, and neon roadside sign.

This weekend's double feature is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary. Showtimes and information can be found on their website at 66drivein.com.

McDonald said the theater runs films Friday through Sunday from April through October and hosts some free events throughout the year. "We do some free events throughout the year just to get families something else to do at a value. Right. Everything now costs a lot of money, so we try to add... We want a value for somebody's dollar."

Visitors get two films for the price of usually one at a walk-in theater. "The family environment is what we go for. That's where we... do our best. That's what we like the best."

The drive-in operates rain or shine. "The only thing that bothers us is fog, of course, so fog sometimes can be an issue. And then a power outage. You gotta have power to run, but the film doesn't bother with the rain... you just gotta sit in your car, but the projector doesn't care, and it plays fine on the screen."

McDonald emphasized the powerful nostalgia the experience creates across generations. "It creates memories that you just can't really get anywhere else." He recalled bringing his own young children to the drive-in shortly after moving to the area. "We sat in the back of a truck and we watched some cartoon on the screen. And my kids were mesmerized by it, and they had that... Now the rest of their life."

With only about 250 drive-in theaters remaining in the United States, mostly in smaller communities, McDonald noted the unique appeal. "You miss that piece of nostalgia, you miss that piece of history, you miss that piece of stepping back in time, you miss that piece of putting your phone down and actually connecting again as a family."

"We have a core group of folks that are here every single Friday and Saturday... It's just that... You put the phones down, you get the football out, you're playing catch,” McDonald added about the experience the community gets. “You're just experiencing things not only as an opportunity to have a movie, but you're experiencing things as a family, as a group... Here you're in your own vehicle and you can... People watch the movie a hundred different ways. They lay on blankets, they sit in the back of trucks, they sit in their car. It's yours to make, it's yours to experience, have a memory from."

Travelers and locals alike are encouraged to visit the new shield for photos and to experience the drive-in this season. Remember to bring cash for the gate fees but cards are accepted at the concession stand. As one of the most recognizable stretches of the original highway winds through Jasper County, the new landmark ensures that the legacy of Route 66 continues to shine brightly for future generations.