Did you know that today is National Iced Tea Day? No worries if you didn’t, I’m telling you now. We were just in the city of Pontiac, Illinois on Friday for the start of their weekend of events in partnership with Lipton Iced Tea and the city. We went because this fall, four generations of my family (my grandmother, my aunt, myself and the three littles) will be driving Route 66 in the sleek Kia Sedona – lovingly named Twilight Moon – and writing about it. I was supposed to go with my dad in place of my aunt, but life changes, and well.
I’m finding that travelers of Route 66 are HARD CORE. We had folks from California, Florida, Ohio, and Iowa to name a few. All there to see this iconic town receive another mural and hype up the route again.
While growing up, we didn’t go off our intended route to see roadside attractions. It just wasn’t something that we could afford to do, because our time was planned down to the minute it seemed. So, setting off on Friday morning and taking my time to do things with my little ones was a breath of fresh air. We wanted Nathaniel to come along, but work called, and I’m not one for interfering with money making.
Taking place in Pontiac, IL, a Route 66 staple, the event offered residents and road-trippers the opportunity to get a full Route 66 experience all in one place. This includes complimentary bites inspired by Route 66 gems, endless free Lipton Iced Tea and plenty of selfie-worthy moments (what good road trip doesn’t inspire a few good selfies?) including the chance to take photos behind the wheel of vintage cars and even a selfie ice pop, which the littles took FULL advantage of. The kids had a BLAST sitting inside a vintage Pontiac Grand Prix and making their own GIFS for me.
Our favorites from the good eats were Bernardi’s Fried Chicken and the Fun & Fried Mushrooms. They were SO good, and we couldn’t stop eating them. The kids chowed down on chili, corn dogs and burgers as well.
A quick downpour shuffled us all into the Route 66 Museum, and we were able to go back in time to see all of the fantastic things that this road has to offer. It definitely created a greater sense of urgency to complete the road for the FIRST time – given that everyone says that it’s going to take SEVERAL trips to really grasp everything that it has to offer. I’m up for that challenge too!
Pontiac Mayor Bob Russell unveiled the town’s very first Lipton mural, becoming the 28th in the town’s collection of murals. The murals in the town are gorgeous, and I can’t wait to get back down to take photos in front of many of them. It’s just something that has become a thing for me, and apparently instagram accounts the world over.
You can enjoy the experience all weekend long, from 12 – 5 on both Saturday and Sunday. And for those who are unable to make the event this weekend and still want to get in on the fun, Lipton is offering the first 100,000 consumers who register on liptonicedteaday.com a free Lipton Iced Tea 20 oz. bottle.
We even had a chance to take Ryder the Aviator Bear along with us, and he got in on the selfie action!
If you get a chance to visit today, tag me and let me know! I’d love to see your photos! Instagram and Twitter are the best bets. Talk soon and see you on the road!
What a fun introduction to Pontiac, IL! We’ve been meaning to get there and check out all the Route 66 sites and murals. And now we’ll know to look for Bernardi’s Fried Chicken and Fun & Fried Mushrooms, too!