Route 66 Screening "Travels with Darley" in Joliet, Illinois

There were no “Blues” at The Joliet Area Historical Museum screening of “Travels with Darley: Route 66” episode. On Sunday, March 3^rd, the museum was filled with Route 66 enthusiasts, community members and guests from the episode all excited to see the Route 66, Illinois-themed episode of her hit series.

Joliet screening Travels with Darley in Illinois

From Chicago to St. Louis, Darley discovered what attractions have put the Route on the map, both “then and now,” and shared her discoveries with the engaged audience. The episode took the audience along Route 66 in Illinois through Darley’s eyes, from timeless roadside attractions and family-owned businesses, to spending time on the open road in a number of impressive vehicles.

Stars of the Route 66 Illinois episode came out to the screening in Joliet. Ronald Blazekovich, who picked Darley up in his classic car to visit the Polk-a-Dot Drive In, even brought his car to the screening!

After guests watched the premiere of the episode, Darley hosted a behind-the-scenes Q&A with a few of the local figures featured in the episode. Laura Hastert (White Fence Farm); Greg Peerbolte (Old Joliet Prison); Teri Ryburn (Sprague’s Super Service Station); Ron Metzger (Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment); and Casey Claypool (Doc Just Off 66) had an intimate conversation with Darley about their businesses and what it means to be a part of the fabric that makes up Route 66. The audience also had the opportunity to ask their own questions.

After the "Travels with Darley: Route 66 Illinois" episode was screened, guests were treated to a behind the scenes panel highlighting small businesses travelers can visit along Route 66, businesses with rich history and ties to preservation. — After the “Travels with Darley: Route 66 Illinois” episode was screened, guests were treated to a behind the scenes panel highlighting small businesses travelers can visit along Route 66, businesses with rich history and ties to preservation.

Ron Metzger of Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill, and Museum outside Springfield, Illinois is also featured in "Travels with Darley: Route 66 Illinois" and attended the screening. — Ron Metzger of Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill, and Museum outside Springfield, Illinois is also featured in “Travels with Darley: Route 66 Illinois” and attended the screening.

The event was open to the public with Joliet Area Historical Museum admission. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is located in downtown Joliet, giving history buffs the opportunity to relive history. Guests got the chance to preview the episode, meet Darley and explore the museum’s The First Hundred Miles visitor’s center which features an impressive collection of Route 66 artifacts, and exhibits.

Route 66 was the theme of the day... even on cookies! — Route 66 was the theme of the day… even on cookies!

The Heritage Corridor Destinations is the home of The First Hundred Miles of Route 66, the I&M Canal Towns, and Starved Rock Country. The organizations amplify the visitor experience for Bureau, Grundy, La Salle, Princeton, Putnam and Will through tourism partnerships within the communities and counties along the historic I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor.

DebyJo Ericksen of the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 attended the screening. She’s part of our previous Illinois Route 66 episode on PBS and now also on streaming and The Great Courses.

While in town Darley also re-visited some of her favorite sites along Historic Route 66 and checked out new gems including the soon-to-open Joliet Railroad Museum, Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market Museum, the first Dairy Queen store historical building, Cat’s Eye Wine Bar, Camp Aramoni, Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, and Merichkas Restaurant.

While in the area, Darley also did interviews for her new “Travels with Darley” podcast on iHeart, including with Jennifer Bias at Camp Aramoni, Kathy Casstevens from Starved Rock State Park, Ana Koval of the Canal Corridor Association, Tara Bedei, the Mayor of the City of Streator, Curt Bedei from LaSalle County Tourism Coalition, and Bob Windy of Star Union Spirits.

Watch the “Travels with Darley: Route 66 Illinois” episode on GoTraveler.com free here online and also on Tubi, Samsung, Apple TV, LG, Roku, Vizio, Sling and much more. Find it on your local PBS TV station, including on WTTW PBS Chicago and check your local listings for PBS times in your local market.

Listen to the “Travels with Darley” podcasts featuring Illinois on iHeart, Spotify, Audible, Apple Podcast and wherever you listen by searching for “Travels with Darley.”