Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Giant Slide

Slide Down Route 66

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 8, 2025

1. The Giant Slide Marker

Inscription.
Zipping down the Giant Slide has been a State Fair tradition since 1968. Thousands of people travel Route 66 every year to visit the Illinois State Fair in August. This is one of the original 42 Giant Slides created by Fred Pittroff, an entrepreneur who perfected the slide design. At 40 feet tall and 130 feet long, it's a thrilling way to start your own tradition of "Sliding Down 66!"

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·When the Giant Slide opened at the Illinois State Fair in 1968, it quickly became one of the most popular attractions. According to a local newspaper, 208,807 tickets were sold at 25 cents each that first season.

·The Shymansky family has a long history with the Giant Slide. Bud and Kitty Shymansky owned and operated the slide from 1976 to 1993 with the help of their children. Their son, Shad, and his family carried on the tradition, running the slide from 2011 to 2018.

·The Giant Slide was given a makeover in preparation for the Route 66 centennial in 2026. The Ace Sign Company of Springfield painted the large Route 66 shield on its surface.

Route 66 Living Legends
Doug Knight, owner of Knight's Action

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Park, purchased the Giant Slide in 2022 to ensure that this unique attraction stays local and continues to make memories.

Erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.

Location. 39° 49.904′ N, 89° 38.36′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is on Main Street north of East Sangamon Avenue. Marker is located on the Illinois State Fair grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2520 Main St, Springfield IL 62702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 8, 2025

2. The Giant Slide Marker

of this marker: Route 66 Experience (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A. Lincoln Motel (about 600 feet away); Chain of Rocks Motel (about 600 feet away); The Coliseum (about 600 feet away); Bel-Air Drive-In (about 600 feet away); The Sky Glider (about 600 feet away); Route 66 Alignments in Springfield (about 700 feet away); 66 Drive-In Theatre (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Regarding The Giant Slide. Access to the marker may be limited throughout the year; it is required that one have a ticket to the Illinois State Fair during its operating hours (usually the first and second weeks of August).

The slide is also open on Saturdays only from May to August (depending on weather; see operating hours in the link below)

Also see . . . Slide Down 66. From Visitspringfieldillinois.com (Submitted on August 9, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.