Final 'Rockabilly' event next week

In one week, the unique four-day music celebration of Route 66 and classic Americana, "Rockabilly on the Route," will return to Tucumcari for a fifth and final time.

Event producers Simon Cantlon and Ungelbah Davila of Pink Flamingo Productions began the festival five years ago with the goal to celebrate America's definitive musical legacy and classic Americana while raising funds to benefit Tucumcari's New Mexico Route 66 Museum.

Cantlon and Davila have said they are ending the event to pursue other opportunities.

The event has grown each year, drawing in crowds of more than 5,000 to Tucumcari to take part in a variety of unique events, including a burlesque, classic car and bike show, pin-up contest, swing dance classes, a parade. The four-day festival features unique vendors, contests, events and live music in various locations throughout the city.

Cantlon said after making the decision to retire the festival for 2018 and change its direction, he and Davila vowed to make the five-year anniversary one for the books.

"We're pulling out all the stops this year," Davila said. "This event has won thousands of fans from around the world, and we've had an incredible time hosting it, so this year, we are definitely not going to disappoint. We have a reputation to maintain as the best Rockabilly weekend on Route 66, and we're going out with a bang, pure Rockabilly on the Route style. We are at the peak of our success, and this won't be the year to miss."

Cantlon said the four-day affair will feature music from over 27 bands and performers, including this year's headliners, Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics, the Delta Bombers and Lucky Tubb and the Modern Day Troubadours.

For more information on ticket prices, festival passes and events visit: http://www.rockabillyontheroute.com

Schedule

The following is the schedule of events for Rockabilly on the Route:

June 1

• Welcome to Tucumcari: Noon-4 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Happy Hour Hootenanny: 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Tri Star Bar

• S'Mores by the Fire: 8 p.m., Blue Swallow Motel

• Red, White and Booze: 7 p.m.-2 a.m., VFW Post 2528

June 2

• Blue Suede Breakfast: 9 a.m. -11 am., Kix on 66

• La Loca Lunch: Noon - 2 p.m., Watson's Barbecue

• Tucumcari Today: Noon - 7 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Happy Hour Hullabaloo: 3-7 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Kicks on 66: 4-7 p.m., New Mexico Route 66 Museum

• Cruise on 66: 5-6 p.m., Route 66

• Mommy and Me Pin-up Contest: 6:30-7p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Swing Dance Classes: 5:30 -7 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Rumble on the Route I: 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Midnight Madness: 10:30 p.m. -2 a.m., Tri Star Bar

June 3

• Morning Brew: 8 - 9 a.m., Circa Cafe

• Wheels on 66 Parade: 9-9:30 a.m., Route 66

• Classic Car and Vintage Bike Show: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Live in the Beer Garden: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Captain Burton's Fun Time Side-Show Circus: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Kids Tattoo Contest: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Kicks on 66: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., New Mexico Route 66 Museum

• Beard and Mustache Competition: 11:30 a.m.- noon, Tucumcari Convention Center

• Tattoo Contest: Noon - 12:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Swing Dance Classes: 12:30 -1:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Mr. Man Contest: 1:30 - 2 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• 2017 Miss ROR Pin-up Contest: 2 -3 p.m.,

• Hannah M. Dance for Kids: 2 - 3 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Hannah M. Dance Kids Performance: 3 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Car and Bike Show Awards: 3:15 - 3:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Get the Rhythm Dinner: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Del's Restaurant

• Swing Dance Classes: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Happy Hour Hullabaloo: 5 - 7:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Rumble on the Route II: 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Midnight Madness: 10:30 p.m. - 2 a.m., Tri Star Bar

June 4

• Tiki Pool Party/ Hangover Brunch: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tri Star Bar