Tulsa has named four grand marshals to lead the Route 66 Capital Cruise: Classic Car Centennial Parade on May 30, an event organizers say could become the largest classic car parade in history.
Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, Route 66 historian and author Michael Wallis, and Vice Grip Garage founder Derek Bieri will drive the first four cars in the parade. The cruise forms part of national celebrations marking the Route 66 Centennial.
The parade will depart from Tulsa’s Expo Square, head north on Yale Avenue, and continue west along Route 66 through a designated spectator route. Organizers expect thousands of spectators to line the historic highway as classic vehicles take part in the record-setting attempt. Additional events, including an expo and fan gatherings, will take place in the days leading up to the parade.
“It is a tremendous honor to be a grand marshal for Tulsa’s Capital Cruise, and I cannot wait for May 30,” said Matt Pinnell, Oklahoma Lt. Governor. “Tulsa is The Capital of Route 66® and this will be the nation’s signature celebration for the Route 66 Centennial and it will be an incredible thrill to see Route 66 lined with thousands of spectators to celebrate the Mother Road.”
The grand marshals will lead the parade as the first four vehicles in the procession, setting the pace for what organizers hope will be a historic gathering of classic automobiles along the iconic American highway.
“This will be an incredible day in Tulsa’s history,” said Monroe Nichols, Mayor of Tulsa. “I have been very excited for Capital Cruise since the event was announced and am deeply moved to be one of the first cars in the Cruise to represent Tulsa. Tulsa does big things, and Capital Cruise will be one of the biggest yet. I hope to see everyone on May 30!”
Among the grand marshals is Michael Wallis, an award-winning reporter, best-selling author and prominent Route 66 historian. Wallis also provided the voice of Sheriff in the Pixar films Cars, Cars 2 and Cars 3, and founded the Route 66 Alliance. In 2023, he was appointed to the Congressional Route 66 Commission by President Joe Biden.
“Route 66 is the heartbeat of America, and Capital Cruise will be the heartbeat of America’s Route 66 Centennial Celebration,” said Michael Wallis, author and Route 66 historian. “I did not hesitate to say ‘yes’ when asked to be a grand marshal for this unprecedented event. There is nothing more American than the Mother Road, and it deserves the biggest celebration it can get.”
Derek Bieri, founder of the automotive YouTube channel Vice Grip Garage, will also serve as a grand marshal. His channel has nearly 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube, along with more than 1 million followers on Facebook and about 400,000 followers on Instagram.
“When a guy heard about Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise, I knew I had to be a part,” said Derek Bieri, Founder and Owner of Vice Grip Garage. “What better way to celebrate classic cars and car culture than setting a world record on Route 66, in The Capital of Route 66®, as part of the biggest Centennial party in the country? I’ll be bringing my one-of-a-kind ride to this one-of-a-kind party, and I can’t wait to meet all the Vice Grip Garage fans from around the country in Tulsa—and make some new friends, too. See you in May!”
In the lead-up to the event, Bieri plans to restore a car that he will drive in the parade and document the project on the Vice Grip Garage YouTube channel. After the cruise, the restored vehicle will be auctioned for charity.
Additional festivities will begin ahead of the parade. The Capital Cruise Expo is scheduled for May 28 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and May 29 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the Capital Cruise Tailgate presented by Bank of Oklahoma will take place May 29 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The parade itself begins at 8 a.m. on May 30. Organizers say all events are free and open to the public, with registration available for drivers and volunteers.
For more information or to register to be a driver or volunteer, visit capitalofroute66.com.
