Huge Graffiti Summer celebration arrives with parade kick-off, weekend festival
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The thousand-car North Modesto Kiwanis American Graffiti Parade went off without a hitch Friday night on downtown streets and McHenry Avenue.
All of the closed streets had reopened by about 11 p.m., the Modesto Police Department said on its Facebook page.
“The culmination of hard work, planning and tradition all make this historic event possible,” the post said. “We look forward to next year!”
Many of those same cars, and more, are taking part in the Kiwanis Graffiti car show and festival, which got underway Saturday morning and continues Sunday on the Modesto Junior College West Campus.
Organizers estimated that more than 1,200 cars are participating. Live entertainment includes music from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. There are food vendors, a beer and wine garden and more than 50 booths offering jewelry, clothes, crafts and car-related items and services.
On Sunday, the show also will host hundreds of contemporary muscle and specialty cars from the Modesto Cars & Coffee group. Festival hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
The MJC West Campus is at 2201 Blue Gum Ave. Festival admission is $10, free for ages 12 and under. Learn more at www.americangraffitifestival.com.
The events were inspired by “American Graffiti,” a 1973 film by Modesto native George Lucas about his memories of cruising in the early 1960s.
Here’s more on what lies ahead this Graffiti Summer month:
SUMMER CRUISE IN KARAOKE — Fridays in June: 5-9 p.m. A&W Drive-In, 1404 G St, Modesto. visitmodesto.com/car-culture
BACK TO GRAFFITI CAR SHOW — June 17: Modesto F-100 Elite presents its car show with raffle, vendors, music, awards and more. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Fruit Yard, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto. 209-577-3093. visitmodesto.com/car-culture
“CARS” — June 17: Animated film on screen. 10 a.m. The State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. $5. thestate.org.
GRAFFITI NIGHT WITH THE MODESTO NUTS — June 23: Carros Locos event will feature lowriders and graffiti cars, street art, dancers and music. Gates open 6 p.m. The Nuts will play the Fresno Grizzlies. John Thurman Field, 601 Neece Dr., Modesto. $10. visitmodesto.com/car-culture
MODESTO ELKS ROD & CUSTOM CAR SHOW — June 25: Cars, trucks, motorcycles. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Elks Lodge, 645 Charity Way, Modesto. Free. 209-287-6427. visitmodesto.com/car-culture
