Rev up for a return of Modesto’s monthlong summer celebration. When, where to be
Modesto’s annual summer celebration gets back to where it belongs this year.
Graffiti Summer returns to June with a month of events planned for car lovers and fans of Modesto native George Lucas’ film homage to his hometown teen years, 1973’s “American Graffiti.”
Two stars from the film are set to appear at separate events.
Last year’s events were held in August, pushed because of the pandemic, which canceled completely the 2020 celebration.
The move to August didn’t appear to deter from the event, according to Todd Aaronson, CEO of the Modesto Convention & Visitors Bureau, which markets the summer celebration.
“It went great. We don’t do street counts, but it seemed incredibly well attended and it seemed incredibly well received,” he said. “In spite of what was going on in the world in August of last year, I would say it was very successful as a community event.”
The centerpiece of the activities is a three-day car extravaganza hosted by the Kiwanis Club of North Modesto.
Friday, June 10, brings the car parade, a nod to the “cruising” that took place for years and was at the center of “American Graffiti,” set in 1962.
Modesto City Councilwoman Jenny Kenoyer will be grand marshal of the parade and is being honored for her years of community service. She also will be inducted into the Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame.
Saturday and Sunday bring the American Graffiti Festival & Car Show, where spectators can walk through rows of vintage and classic vehicles at the Modesto Junior College West Campus. Bands will provide music, and there will be special guest appearances and more.
Car customizer John D’Agostino and actress Candy Clark from “American Graffiti” will be at the festival.
MJC’s Great Valley Museum and planetarium will be open both days of the car show with a discounted admission of $1.
Other local car clubs and groups also get into the action, including the Graffiti Museum presenting this year’s inductees into the Walk of Fame. Actress Mackenzie Phillips, another star of “American Graffiti,” will be among those inducted and will appear at the event, according to founder Chris Murphy.
Plans continue to evolve, but here’s a look at some of the Graffiti Summer events:
GRAFFITI CAR ART EXHIBIT – June-August: Kruse Lucas Art Gallery celebrates with the work of Rick Raef, who has photographed local graffiti events. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 525 Tully Road, Modesto. 209-529-9111.
GRAFFITI USA MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE – June 4: Graffiti Summer kicks off with historic exhibits and a drive-thru chicken dinner fundraiser. Visitors can take a walking tour, see the plans to complete the museum and visit the store for souvenirs. Open house 10 a.m-4 p.m., dinner pickup 4-7 p.m. 610 N. Ninth St., Modesto. Open house free, dinner $25. graffitiusamuseum.com.
“AMERICAN GRAFFITI” – June 4: The State Theatre shows Lucas’ film chronicling a night of teenage cruising in his hometown. 1 p.m. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. $5. thestate.org.
MASRA GRAFFITI CLASSIC – June 5: Modesto Area Street Rod Association’s car show. There will be a designated area only for Mustangs. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. McHenry Village, Modesto. modestoareastreetrod.com.
MID-VALLEY CHEVY PARK-N-SHINES – June 7 and 9: Mid-Valley Chevy Club car shows. 5:30 p.m. June 7 at Century Center, Modesto; 5:30 p.m. June 9, Cool Hand Luke’s, Riverbank. midvalleychevy.com.
LEGENDS OF THE CRUISE WALK OF FAME CELEBRATION – June 8: Along with Phillips and Kenoyer, Ron Pippin, Bob Rose, Vern Silva, Dan Vierra and the Deacons Car Club will be inducted into the Walk of Fame. There will be a car show during the event and live music following. Car show 5:30 p.m., inductions 6:30 p.m. 10th Street Plaza, Modesto. www.modestocruiseroute.com.
MOBAND OPENING NIGHT – June 9: Classic rock opens MoBand’s new season. 8 p.m. Mancini Bowl at Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto. www.moband.org.
AMERICAN GRAFFITI FESTIVAL PARADE – June 10: Kiwanis Club of North Modesto hosts as up to 1,000 classic cars travel downtown and on McHenry Avenue to Briggsmore Avenue. 6 p.m. americangraffitifestival.com.
NORTH MODESTO KIWANIS CAR SHOW – June 11-12: Two-day show and music festival with rows of vintage and classic vehicles. Car customizer D’Agostino and Clark from “American Graffiti” will be at the fest, which also features local bands, food and vendors. Modesto’s Cars and Coffee group joins Sunday with modern muscle cars and exotic vehicles. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Modesto Junior College West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave. $10, free ages 12 and under. For more, call 209-447-5962. americangraffitifestival.com.
“GREASE” – June 11: Patrons can sing along during screening of classic musical. 2 p.m. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. $5. thestate.org.
GRAFFITI NIGHT WITH THE NUTS – June 17: The Nuts take on the Lake Elsinore Storm. Planned are classic cars along the concourse. More events may be added. Game time 7:05 p.m. John Thurman Field, 601 Neece Drive, Modesto. $8 advance, $11 at the door. www.milb.com/modesto.
BACK TO GRAFFITI AT THE FRUIT YARD – June 18: F-100 Elite presents show with trucks, muscle cars and hot rods, music, vendors and more. Benefits Soroptimists, Community Hospice and Shriners. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fruit Yard, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto. Free. www.thefruityard.com.
“REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE” – June 19: Modesto Film Society presents screening of classic. 2 p.m. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. $9. thestate.org.
GRAFFITI CON COMICS AND CARS – June 26: Droids, stormtroopers, cosplayers, vendors, comic books and toys. There will be several comic creators and actors including those from “Star Wars,” “Gremlins,” “Day of the Dead” and more at the event. Also appearing will be Cooley Jackson, who taught Michael Jackson the moonwalk dance move. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum, 610 N. Ninth St., Modesto. $5. www.facebook.com/GraffitiCon209.
ROD & CUSTOM CAR SHOW – June 26: Modesto Elks presents cars, trucks and motorcycles. Food also available. Breakfast 7-10 a.m. for $10. Show 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Elks Lodge, 645 Charity Way, Modesto. 209-524-4421.
This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
