Rockin’ Route 66 Festival takes over Tucumcari

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by Lia Kamana Saturday, June 29th 2019

TUCUMCARI, N.M. (KVII) — Folks are being transported back to when Route 66 was in its prime this weekend with the Rockin’ Route 66 Festival in Tucumcari, N.M.

Vintage hair and makeup artist, Kimber Portman, says this time period is in her soul.

“My mother since I was a young age always said I was born in the wrong decade,” said Portman. “I believe somewhere deep down that I should have been born in the 30’s and in my prime in the 40’s and 50’s.”

She is one of many vendors at the Festival bringing Route 66 culture back to life.

“I’ve dressed this way and done my hair and makeup this way for as long as I can remember, and when the pin up movement got really big I had other girls start asking me to do hair and makeup for shoots,” shared Portman.

Route 66 was once the lifeline between the two sides of the country.

“I feel that one of the reasons people love Route 66, the City of Tucumcari, and events like this is because it takes them back to a time of innocence,” said Reverend Andy Hawley, MC of the festival and DJ with Garage 71 Radio.

The Rockin’ Route 66 Festival looks to emphasize the heart of Route 66, which is Tucumcari.

“We came up with Rockin’ Route 66 as a concept to celebrate Route 66. All the American culture, rock and roll, the cars of the past, the cars of today, all the little towns and the special things they have to offer,” explained Brian Whitcomb, president of Hot Pan Productions and organizer of the event.

Hawley echoed the same sentiments.

“We not only focus on the music, but the entire lifestyle when we do an event like this. We have pin ups, the food, the drink, everything that encompasses that – hot rods, motorcycles, classic cars, everybody brings a little something to it,” said Hawley.

When talking about Route 66, you can’t forget the music. Saturday headliner, Slim and the Gems, are excited to be in town.

“We are from Atlanta, Georgia and it’s really cool to be out here on the historic Route 66. The people here in Tucumcari have been amazing to us,” said Monroe Slim, lead singer and guitarist.

Slim said they’ll be transporting folks back to the time of ‘cool’ with hot rod rockabilly.

“There’s something about the era that just lends to the whole meaning to the word cool and everybody wants a piece of that,” said Slim.

Slim and the Gems hit the main stage around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 29.

For the full schedule of events for the remainder of the festival, visit the website.