Fans of decked-out classic cars and doo-wop music won't want to miss this weekend's installment of Modesto's monthlong Graffiti Summer festivities.
Some of the biggest events of the festival are scheduled during the next few days, including tonight's dedication of the new historic cruise route and the classic car parade downtown and the Graffiti festival at Modesto Junior College's west campus Saturday and Sunday. Read on for details:
TODAY
• 11 a.m.-3 p.m. — PDT Motorsports Cruise In, 430 Fifth Ave., Oakdale. Classic-car owners are welcome to this open house and barbecue. Featuring dyno tuning, car building and more. PDT Motorsports will provide the free lunch. (209) 845-9790 or (209) 531-4661.
• 6-9 p.m. — Johnny Rocket & the Thrust, Tenth Street Plaza, Modesto. Music from the 1950s and 1960s. Free. (209) 526-9303.
• 6:30 p.m. — Historic Graffiti Route Ribbon Cutting, 10th and I streets, Modesto. Featuring appearances by "American Graffiti" movie stars Bo Hopkins, Paul Le Mat and Candy Clark and custom auto designer Gene Winfield. Participants will be invited to take a self-guided tour of the cruise route, which will feature kiosks with information about "Graffiti" filmmaker and Modesto native George Lucas, Modesto's history of cruising, other famous Modestans and more. Learn more at www.modestocruiseroute.com or (209) 526-5588.
• 7 p.m. — Official North Modesto Kiwanis Classic Car Parade, downtown Modesto (parade staging is at 10th and D streets). Features classic cars, hot rods and street rods from 1979 and earlier. "American Graffiti" film stars Bo Hopkins, Paul Le Mat and Candy Clark will attend, as well as custom-car designer Gene Winfield. 888-746-9763.
• 7 p.m.-midnight — Sensations: Modern Doo Wop Girl Group, Firkin and Fox, 1111 I St., Modesto. 1950s music and food and drink delivered by servers in poodle skirts. Music starts on the patio during the parade, then moves inside. (209) 575-2369.
• Following the parade — Velvet Creamery Cruise In, 2204 McHenry Ave., Modesto. Classic cars are welcome to come to the drive-in for burgers, fries and shakes. (209) 544-9029.
• 8:30 p.m. — John Mueller's Winter Dance Party, State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. Re-creation of final 1959 tour of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper, featuring 1950s hits such as "That'll Be the Day," "Peggy Sue," "Oh Boy," "Rave On," "La Bamba" and "Chantilly Lace." Mueller, who plays Holly, starred in the touring version of the hit Broadway musical "Buddy … the Buddy Holly Story." Jay P. Richardson Jr. plays his real-life father, the Big Bopper. Ray Anthony, who has performed in "Legends of Rock and Roll" at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, plays Valens. $20-$30; (209) 527-4697 or www.thestate.org.
SATURDAY
• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — North Modesto Kiwanis 14th annual American Graffiti Car Show and Festival, Modesto Junior College West Campus off Blue Gum Ave. One-thousand classic cars, arts, crafts, more than 140 vendors and boutiques. Local music performers and two DJs will play oldies on two stages.
Ford Stage: 10:30 a.m.-noon — The Sensations
12:30-3 p.m. — Threshold
3:30-5 p.m. — Super Avengers
Chrysler Stage: 10:30 a.m.-noon — Johnny Rocket & the Thrust
12:30-3 p.m. — Jim Anderson & the Rebels
3:30-5 p.m. — Johnny Pistola Band.
Special guests "American Graffiti" stars Bo Hopkins, Candy Clark and Paul Le Mat, plus custom-car designer Gene Winfield. $7 adults, with proceeds going to local charities. Free for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. (888) 746-9763 or www.northmodestokiwanis.org.
• 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. — Singalong "Grease," State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. Dress as your favorite character from the 1978 hit musical and dance and sing along with stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John while you view a newly restored 35mm print of movie. There will be drink specials and prizes. $5; (209) 527-4697 or www.thestate.org.
• 8 p.m. — Frankie Avalon, Rogers Theater, Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. Former teen idol, known for his hits "Venus" and "Beauty School Dropout," from the movie "Grease." $25-$75. (See full preview article on page E-12).
SUNDAY
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. — North Modesto Kiwanis 14th annual American Graffiti Car Show and Festival, Modesto Junior College West Campus off Blue Gum Avenue. One-thousand classic cars, arts, crafts, more than 140 vendors and boutiques. Local music performers and two DJs will play oldies. The California All Stars and The Rockabilly Experience perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special guests "American Graffiti" movie stars Bo Hopkins, Candy Clark and Paul Le Mat plus custom car designer Gene Winfield. $7 adults, with proceeds going to local charities. Free for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. (888) 746-9763 or www.northmodestokiwanis.org.Graffiti WeekendMonthlong festival offering ode to cars and cruising burns some rubber the next few days
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