Graffiti Summer
Graffiti Summer
Graffiti Summer is Here!
Graffiti Summer is happening now! If you’re a Modesto local and you’re looking for info on road closures during the parade, click HERE.
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2024 Graffiti Weekend Schedule
Classic cars, family fun, great food, and live music!
Join us at the early kickoff of Graffiti Weekend with the Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame and Park N’ Shine on Wednesday, June 5th in Downtown Modesto at 5pm. Join us for over 300 classic cars parked in Downtown, live music, and the unveiling of the “Graffiti Walk of Fame” Class of ’24!
Saturday, June 8th
American Graffiti Car Show & Festival
Modesto Junior College West Campus
2201 Blue Gum Ave.
9am – 5pm
Entertainment Schedule:
11:30am – 1:30pm: Rob Ely
Award-winning tribute to Elvis Presley
2pm – 4pm: Seve Botello as Elvis
a la Carte, circulating and singing – grab a photo!
2pm – 5pm: 25th Anniversary American Graffiti Band
Including: Shelly Streeter, Claudia Streeter, Deb Ferrel, Kyle Barker, John DeJonge, Marty Martinez, David Avery, Dave Monday, Doug Robinett
Sunday, June 9th
American Graffiti Car Show & Festival
Modesto Junior College West Campus
2201 Blue Gum Ave.
9am – 3pm
Entertainment Schedule:
11am – 1:30pm: Honoring Our Latin Car Clubs
On Stage: Cisco Kid – A War Tribute Band
2pm: Classic Car Awards
All Weekend:
Live Radio Remote by The River
and LeRoy Production DJs ’50s & ’60s Music
Locals FYI
Whether you live or work in Downtown Modesto, make note of these road closures on June 5th and June 7th for Graffiti Events!
Friday, June 7th: American Graffiti Cruise Parade
Once again, the parade route will be split between 10th and 11th Streets, with cruising vehicles traveling along each route. Cruisers will reconvene on I Street as the parade heads east.
Key Times:
Street/Parking Garage Closures: 3pm – 10pm
Cruise Parade: 6pm – 8pm
Street Closure Areas:
Entry into downtown from 5-points at 17th Street
G through L Streets from 9th to 17th Streets
Needham Street from Five Points to 14th Street
Parking garages within the event area will be CLOSED
Graffiti Recap
Helping Our Community
All profits from the American Graffiti Festival and Car Show go back into the community. This event is put on annually by the North Modesto Kiwanis, who devote thousands of hours to organizing starting in the fall.
The North Modesto Kiwanis Club has been a driving force for good for the youth of the Modesto community for more than a half-century. Today, more than 100 men and women from all walks of life and ages 20 to 90 blend their talents, experiences and backgrounds to ensure that children continue to be served. How do they meet that goal? By volunteering their time and by raising dollars for charitable organizations through a myriad of fundraisers throughout the years — from chicken barbecues to Breakfast with Santa to car shows.
Money raised at this fundraiser goes back to the community in the form of college scholarships, donations to charitable organizations serving children and teens and a generous Christmas basket program to needy families.
Local Organizations Supported by the North Modesto Kiwanis
What is Graffiti Anyways?
The Graffiti car history is closely tied to the car culture and cruising scene of the 1950s and early 1960s, which was popularized in George Lucas’ 1973 film “American Graffiti”. The movie’s title is derived from the act of cruising and the practice of writing graffiti on cars, which was a common form of self-expression among young people at the time. The cars featured in “American Graffiti” are primarily classic American cars from the late 1950s and early 1960s, such as Chevy Bel Airs, Ford Thunderbirds, and Pontiac GTOs.
These cars were often customized and modified to enhance their performance and style, with features such as custom paint jobs, chrome detailing, and powerful engines. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, the cars of the Graffiti car history played an important role in American culture and society. They represented a symbol of youth rebellion and freedom, and they were often associated with the rise of rock and roll music and the changing social attitudes of the time.
Today, the Graffiti car history continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by car enthusiasts and collectors around the world. The cars of the era remain popular among collectors, and there are numerous car shows, cruises, and other events dedicated to showcasing these iconic vehicles and preserving their place in American history and culture.
If you are interested in more information about the Graffiti Parade or Car Show, click HERE!