Swarm on Route 66
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the iconic Route 66, and the City of Pontiac has invited Skoolie Swarm to be a central part of their centennial celebrations. Our event will bring hundreds of Skoolies, vans, and RVs—and their passionate owners—to downtown Pontiac for a high-visibility public exhibition on May 2-3. This will be followed by a 10-day private “Full Swarm” gathering, culminating in small caravans embarking on a westward journey along the Mother Road.
DATES:
May 2-3, 2026 for the Swarm on Downtown Pontiac, Illinois, We will be taking over the downtown area and opening our rigs for tours. The town is having the 100 year celebration of Route 66 and the Swinging Bridge Art Festival that weekend.
May 3-13th Full Swarm
Caravans will leave from the Swarm
REGISTRATION:
Space is limited. Registration is now open!!!
HIVE ADDRESS:
Exact location will be included in your registration confirmation email
We are super excited to share that we have been invited to Swarm on the Route 66 One Hundred Year Celebration!
We’ll also be organizing caravans along Route 66. If you are interested in helping us plan or you know of a great location along the way for about 10 buses to stay overnight please email us at beehappy@skoolieswarm.com
Have you heard of Pontiac, Illinois? It is the home of Artist Bob Waldmire’s famous “Road Yacht” a 1966 Skoolie that Bob converted. While in Pontiac you can explore the life of the Mother Road’s most famous resident! Located on the second floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex, the Bob Waldmire Experience traces the artistic and spiritual development of Bob Waldmire, the iconic Route 66 artist, preservationist, naturalist, and icon. See examples of Waldmire’s unique art style as it developed over the years, learn about his family life and their contributions to Route 66, and see a video of Waldmire giving a tour of his home in Hackberry, AZ.
After touring the exhibit, visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum on the first floor to see Waldmire’s famous Volkswagen van and a mural he painted over the course of several years.
See you at the Swarm!
Travis & Michelle