Celebrating the 100th year anniversary of Route 66, the Today show traveled to Springfield, Missouri right where it was first named with a weekend of events. They broadcast for three hours live on Thursday, April 30 as part of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration in front of the Gillioz Theater. Thousands of people showed up with signs and got to talk to anchors Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer and Laura Jarrett who hosted near the Sky Eleven building. Some audience members even arrived at 2:30 am for the 8 am live taping that lasted 3 hours.

They did drone shows choreographed to music and storytelling that trace the legacy of the Mother Road from Chicago to Santa Monica. Local performers, musicians and reenactors and community groups will energize streets, plazas and stages throughout the city.

They visited Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium and took turns swinging at the mound at Route 66 Stadium home to the Springfield Cardinals. They had a car-side feast at the Steak ‘n Shake establishment which has been serving burgers, shakes and fries since 1962.

Special guest John Goodman, Hollywood legend and Missouri State University alum, opens up about what he loves about coming back home to Missouri and shares how his time in college inspired him to become an actor.