3 HISTORIC CELEBRATIONS • 7 EVENTS • AND 1 CRAZY ROUTE 66 DAY

By Tara L. Simmons

Along Interstate 55 you will find the little town of Livingston. Established in 1905 as a coal mining town, it grew quickly at first but leveled off to its current population of 845 by the 1970s.

In 1907 a wood building was erected for school purposes, and it was enlarged in 1912. High school education began in Livingston in 1917, and its first graduate was a young lady named Jennie Bert. A newer brick building was built in 1918, and yet an even newer building was built in 1926 — this building still stands and is the north end of Pink Elephant Antique Mall.

The gymnasium for the school was added in 1949, and the building served high school students for nearly 75 years — until 2004 — when Livingston High School graduated its last senior class and was absolved into the Staunton School District. The Route 66 alignment ran right next to the school from 1940-1977. In 2005 Pink Elephant Antique Mall opened in the vacant old school building.

If you’ve ever driven Interstate 55 between Hamel and Staunton, you have passed the Pink Elephant Antique Mall. You can’t miss it. Their signature giant pink elephant stands alert out front, along with other roadside attractions on site including a flying saucer, a two-story Harley man statue and much more, beckoning all who pass to take the next exit and swing back to Livingston for a visit to this popular Route 66 stop that features over 100 unique vendors in over 30,000 square feet.

Seeing these unique structures alone is worth a stop, evoking a sense of wonder and inviting photo opportunities that capture the essence of a bygone era.

The mall also has two retro shops:

The Mother Road Fudge Factory and Candy Shop

A 1950s-themed candy store selling homemade fudge made on-site in a variety of flavors, vintage candies, bulk candy, saltwater taffy, chocolates and Route 66 souvenirs.

The Twistee Treat Diner

A kitschy 1950s-themed diner occupying an original Twistee Treat ice cream cone-shaped building, with the dining area decked out in a hot pink tile floor. The Blues Brothers overlook the dining area and the jukebox.

The diner serves a full menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including burgers made with fresh local beef that is never frozen. The ice cream is amazing, featuring soft serve, hand-scooped selections and a large variety of specialties.

Pink Elephant Antique Mall is a quirky roadside attraction with nostalgic Americana charm and is a must-see for those traveling Old Route 66. Owners Tonia and Wayne Pickerill make sure of that with frequent specialty events, such as their annual Big Foot Festival that takes place each May.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Celebration

What’s next is a once-in-a-lifetime party — their Route 66 Centennial Celebration, which is actually three historic celebrations and seven events on one crazy Route 66 day — Saturday, June 20th.

The three celebrations are:

  • 100 years of Route 66
  • 100 years of Livingston High School
  • 250 years of the USA

To commemorate this unique celebration, a host of events are planned, including:

Event Schedule

  • Smokin’ on 66 BBQ Cook Off (6 am-4:30 pm)
  • Twistee Treat Diner’s 3rd Annual Jeep Run “Duck Hunt”
  • The Great Auburn Brick Roll (rollout 11 am)
  • 3rd Annual 1st Responders Appreciation Night (4-8 pm)
  • Miss Red, White & Blue Pin-up Contest (5-6 pm)
  • The Twistee Cruise-In (4-8 pm)
  • Community Formation Photo (4:15 pm)

During the Community Formation Photo, vehicles will form the letters “USA 66” while the crowd around them forms the Livingston Eagle for a monumental aerial photo shoot.

In addition to these special events, there will be bounce houses on the lawn (fees apply), food and sweet treats, shopping inside the Pink Elephant Antique Mall and classic Route 66 roadside attractions and photo opportunities.

Spend the day celebrating the Mother Road, enjoying community events and making memories with family and friends.

Additional details for each individual event can be found under EVENTS on the Pink Elephant Antique Mall Facebook page and PinkElephantAntiqueMall.com.

Location & Summer Hours

Pink Elephant Antique Mall

908 Veterans Memorial Drive
Livingston, Illinois

Pink Elephant Antique Mall

Daily: 9 am-8 pm

The Mother Road Fudge & Candy Shop

Daily: 9 am-8 pm

Twistee Treat Diner

Mon-Fri: 6 am-9 pm
Sat-Sun: 8 am-9 pm