Edmond History Museum is celebrating Edmond’s placement along Route 66 and the reopening of Stephenson Park in a big, blue HUMONGOUS way!

The Route 66 Blue Hippo Festival, is June 15, 2024, from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. The festival is themed around Edmond’s Route 66 icon, the Blue Hippo. Free family-friendly activities, performances, artists and all things blue, will take place at the Edmond History Museum and in Stephenson Park in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Presented by Edmond Parks & Recreation Department, the festival is free to visitors and is hosted in partnership with Visit Edmond, TTCU Federal Credit Union, The Edmond Way and Citizens Bank of Edmond. Visit EdmondHistory.org for further information and continuous updates.

Quirky and Educational: In addition to carnival-style activities, visitors can participate in hippo and Route 66 Trivia throughout the park. Be part of a community art project and hippo-themed activities, such as the Hungry Hungry Hippo game station. Try to win a Hot Wheels race, tour the Historic Rodkey House and American Legion Hut, or purchase one of the hippo art pieces being created LIVE during the festival. Just to create the right atmosphere, over 20 blue classic cars will line the park and musicians will perform the BLUES, BLUEgrass, and old-fashioned Rock-n-Roll music in the new pavilion. Musicians include Kyle Dillingham, Katie Bradford, Kentucky Daisy Band and Jimmy Dale Richardson’s 1950s/60s Band & Dancers.

The Blue Hippo: The origin of Edmond’s Blue Hippo is mysterious, but the icon debuted at 12^th & Broadway in 1991. The hippo, left over from a former construction company, once sprayed water from its “box” at an unknown water park. He was repainted and has served as a community icon and a roadside photo stop ever since. Although the Blue Hippo will remain in his current location, festival attendees are welcome to stop by and take a selfie. At the festival, a blue hippo art replica will be on display at the Museum’s Edmond’s Route 66 exhibit and custom blue hippo merchandise will be for sale.

Edmond Route 66: Since 1926, Edmond has been a stop along Route 66, turning a corner at downtown Edmond, heading south into Oklahoma City. Although Edmond was primarily an agricultural town early on, Route 66 allowed for the development of new revenue services that accommodated travelers: gas stations, auto repair shops, restaurant, and motor courts (motels). As Oklahoma approaches the 100^th Anniversary of the “Mother Road,” Edmond is ramping up its roadside appeal to attract new travelers. The Route 66 Blue Hippo Festival will be hosted again in 2026 for the centennial.

Museum Information:

Edmond History Museum’s regular hours are 10:00-5:00 Monday – Friday and 1:00-4:00 Saturdays. Admission is free. More information can be found on the museum website at www.EdmondHistory.org or by calling 405-340-0078. Museum located at 431 S. Boulevard, Edmond, OK 73034.