Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Celebration of Nations is poised to grow this year. The university received a $50,000 grant from the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission to use in expanding and promoting the festival.
Celebrating its hundredth anniversary in 2026, the original Route 66 ran from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. In Rolla it ran along Pine Street and was later rerouted to what is now I-44. Although Route 66 was functionally replaced by the interstate highway system, tourists from across the country and around the world still travel along the original route where possible.
“Our parade marches down Pine Street, and the festival location is right off Route 66, so it just made sense that we would work together,” says Rebecca West, engagement and outreach program manager at Missouri S&T. “There will be a Route 66 booth at the festival, and representatives from Route 66 in our parade.”
Marking its sixteenth anniversary this year, Celebration of Nations highlights the unique mix of cultures at Missouri S&T and within the city of Rolla. Students and faculty from around the globe have called Rolla their home, whether for a few years or permanently.
One thing the grant will enable is advertising outside of the usual market, with billboards in Jefferson City, Springfield and St. Louis. The hope is to increase the number of festival-goers from 5,000 to 7,000.
“We would love to have more participation from the community, including businesses, student groups and music performers,” says West. “In the past, the parade was focused on the display of countries’ flags, and different cultures. While we plan to continue this tradition, we would love to make this event a community activity with lots of parade participants and even more parade watchers.”
For more information about Celebration of Nations, including information on how to participate, visit nations.mst.edu.
