BIG VIEW AmericanGraffiti turns50 ...andGraffitiinModestois75!

How did we get to where we are today?

It all started after World War II. Soldiers were back from the war, gas was prevalent, tires were available, streets and highways were being built. Interesting and unique drive-ins like Burge’s lined the highways and main drags luring hungry motorists with quick car hop service serving burgers, fries, chicken and fresh pies. Unlike wartime, you could drive around town, back and forth for no reason at all. With cheap gas, cruising was invented. In 1947 Modesto, the cruise was 10th Street, then called “Dragging 10th”. Soon, after the Modesto Police tried to shut it down by making 10th St one-way, it became a loop on 10th & 11th. The rest is the history. George Lucas once told me when I asked him about how he would describe himself, and he said he is “a storyteller”. American Graffiti was a story about 1962 in Modesto USA. It was a story that was shared by many communities around the USA, but it has put Modesto in a special place in our nation’s history and pop culture. Yes Modesto, we are the #homeofAmericanGraffiti and this amazing history is key to our future. Like Lucas, we, Modesto, have to tell our story. It is something to be proud of, and we must celebrate it by recognizing our importance in the past, but what it can do for our future. Our story is still being written.

50 Years of American Grafftiti

George Lucas’ American Graffiti was released in 1973 and since then, Modesto USA has been immortalized in one of the top 100 films of all time. There were so many people, cars and experiences that George drew inspiration from and these were all put together for this legendary film. For years, Modesto has been working on a variety of ways to celebrate our classic history, educate the public and draw tourists from around the world. The film’s re-release is reportedly scheduled for August 30 in 4K.

Our Streets Have a Story

Located on 10th St, the street of the original drag is home base to the Modesto Historic Cruise Route and Walk of Fame founded in 2012. Like the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, there are nearly forty Classic Tailfin Markers on the sidewalk and plaza between J and K streets featuring Modesto’s Legends of the Cruise. The first marker was presented to George Lucas in 2013. Stars of American Graffiti, Bo Hopkins, Paul LeMat and Candy Clark are on the Walk of Fame. This year, Mackenzie Phillips who played Carol Morrison will be inducted along with the Class of 2023.

This is also the starting point for the Cruise Walk Tour featuring 25 interactive kiosks loaded with Modesto, music, car and cruising history. To learn more, visit www.modestocruiseroute.com for pictures, video and history.

The future?

Thanks to the success of American Graffiti, George Lucas was able to produce the film he always wanted to make. From his comic book days and his imagination, he wanted to make his own Buck Rogers. Out of this came Star Wars and the entertainment world would never be the same. From the yards on Ramona Avenue, to 10th St and to galaxies far far away, Modesto’s George Lucas changed the world.

Hey Kids

.................... I’m Rodney!

I want to introduce you to the reason Modesto is so awesome! It’s our classic cars like me, Penny, Tina, Chuck and others and we are all shined up, ready to cruise and are all powered up for Graffiti Summer and heading to the Graffiti USA Museum. I hope you enjoy everything we have going this year and make sure to check out the Cruise Route, Graffiti USA Museum, view our classic murals and enjoy the car shows and check out the chrome. We even have a new coloring book for your summer fun.

Download the coloring book for free at www.modestoview.com/graffiti-fun-coloring-book-free/

Cool Graffiti Gifts!

If you are in town for Graffiti Summer, don’t forget your Graffiti gifts and souvenirs. Stop by the Graffiti USA Museum store and you can take home a part of Modesto USA with great t-shirts, Graffiti wine, fuzzy dice, shot glassed, cool model cars, jackets and even send some postcards from Graffiti USA! Take a walk around and check out the progress of the museum

Walk of Fame Markers

Thanks so much to Mat Rogers and the crew at Flying Turtle Concrete for making our tailfin markers. Also, a Flying Turtle fun fact, Mat used to be lead singer for a band called the Cadillac Kids. Right on!

Please check out Flying Turtle at www.flyingturtleconcrete.com

Thank you City of Modesto

Thanks for letting the streets of Modesto be the star and for allowing the Historic Cruise Route and the Walk of Fame to be a big part of our Modesto culture. Thanks to Visit Modesto for helping tell our amazing stories far and wide. Soon, Modesto will be a California Welcome Center at the Graffiti USA Museum and we will be showcasing our Graffiti heritage to the whole world.

www.modestogov.com www.visitmodesto.com

Start Your Engines!

Vrooom Vroom. The first big show out of the gate this year is the Modesto Street Rods Graffiti Classic show at McHenry Village. You will see a huge special show for the 75th anniversary of the Corvette. There will be food, music, chrome, lots of Corvettes and more. Check out the info on this show and the activities of this very active car club. This is a FREE show.

June 34 – McHenry Village 9 – 3 pm http://www.modestoasra.com/

The Big Show

June 9, 10 & 11

The North Modesto Kiwanis Show is the show of shows in our region. The sweetest street rods, race cars, a huge vendor area and food of all types and a big stage with classic tunes from local bands like The SuperAvengers and Overdryve all weekend long and you can try to pick which cars will be the winners of this legendary Modesto car show. Go meet Candy Clark and Mackenzie Phillips as well as our greatest car people from all over the world. Don’t miss the amazing low riders and check out the famous Rosemary and many others. There is a new section for some of the new newer specialty cars (Coffee and Cars) on Sunday morning. The car show is an important fundraiser for non-profits in our region and the quality of this show draws the best cars from all over the western USA.

June 10 9-5, June 11, 9-3pm Lots of easy parking. MJC West - Tix at www.americangraffitifestival.com

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