Songwriters and musicians have until Sept. 13 to enter Santa Monica Travel & Tourism's Route 66 Song Contest, a competition marking the 100th anniversary of the highway that ends in the beachside city.
The contest invites entrants over the age of 18 to submit an original song capturing the spirit of Santa Monica and its connection to the historic road. The winner will receive $10,000 and will be announced in November.
Artists based in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are eligible to submit pieces celebrating the route.
Route 66 runs 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, where it officially ends at the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic boulevards. An honorary "End of the Trail" marker on the Santa Monica Pier commemorates the terminus. Visitors can stop at the city's Visitor Information Centers for Route 66 souvenirs, merchandise and a free Certificate of Completion.
The contest coincides with nationwide centennial festivities in 2026. Santa Monica hosted several events this year, including the Santa Monica International Jazz Festival, Route 66 edition, in May; the Santa Monica Welcomes Texas to Route 66 event on the pier in June; and multiple organized caravans that began or ended in the city. Additional events are listed on the city's calendar of events.
"The centennial anniversary of Route 66 is a once-in-a-generation milestone," said Misti Kerns, president and CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. "As the western terminus of this beloved road trip experience, Santa Monica is searching for an original tune capturing the spirit of the Mother Road and our beachside community. We invite musicians from around the world to be a part of this historic celebration and honor Route 66 in a creative way."
Full contest details are available at santamonica.com/route66.
Edited by SMDP Staff