My first memory of being somewhere not close to home is standing in water that my parents said was the start of the Mississippi. We were visiting my dad’s family in Minnesota, and while I was too little to walk across it and did not really understand what the Mississippi River even was, the memory sticks out. It probably sticks out because there are photos and because of later learning about the Mississippi and its importance, different states, and feeling a connection to it. But what I remember most is the feeling of adventure.
Road trips have helped define America for the last 100 years. Route 66 was established in November 1926, and our present-day highway system began under Eisenhower in 1956. Then there are the automobiles themselves. And just as my grandparents took my parents on road trips, my parents took me. On top of trips to the Nordby family farm in Minnesota, they also took us to St. Louis to see family, New York City, Boston and the Berkshires, Charleston and Savannah, and, on multiple occasions, Denver. North, east, south, and west. Each part of the country, even each part of each state, offered unique experiences that I could not wait to explore.
I also remember fighting my brother for the far-back seat in the minivan once he got just a little too old for my own good, the urgency of making sure I had my pillow, that my seatbelt was always buckled, and the responsibility of the far-back seat, which meant finagling and contorting to get things out of the cooler.
I’ve felt that same sense of adventure countless times since. Road trips ingrained the idea of discovering things at your own pace. Then with all the detours, pit stops, and, in the pre-smartphone days, wrong turns, there is a delight in discovering things by accident and on a whim.
Last fall, as a group of us met for our annual summer theme wrap-up meeting and began thinking about this year’s, we first discussed 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the United States and what the Bicentennial looked like for those alive to remember it. But how do you recognize that and tie into it? Our goal, as you likely know, is to make each summer theme interactive, a little quirky, fun, and connected to experiences that span generations.
And so, we recognized that for decades solo travelers, groups of friends, and families have hit the road to explore small towns, roadside attractions, historic landmarks, national parks, and parts of America that can feel so different from home.
You may be able to recall when road trips became a symbol of independence and adventure. They are rooted in exploration and discovering the country at your own pace. If you are reading this, the open road symbolizing opportunity may be more symbolic than anything, but the idea remains the same.
Like the past few years, this year’s summer theme features public art made by local artists working with fiberglass, painting, creating wood carvings, metalwork, recycled materials, and even ceramics. Each side of the Square coincides with a different part of the country. Head to the west side for good vibrations, go up nort’ on the north side, discover Southern flair on the south side, and experience East Coast charm on the east side.
More than just a means of transportation, the American road trip is a journey of discovery. In our own way, this year’s pieces will represent different landscapes, cultures, and stories while creating what we hope are another summer of lasting memories. We also hope they inspire a little sense of adventure without ever having to travel far. And without fighting anyone for the backseat.
— Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. Anyone interested in finding out more, including on how to volunteer, can at mainstreetmonroe.org.
