GRAFFITI USA MUSEUM Join the Graffiti USA Museum for Summer Fun!

By Carly Russell

The Cruise is King

This event kicks off 6:30 pm Friday night, June 9 in Downtown Modesto with the famous American Graffiti Cruise Parade, open only to cars exhibiting in the car show, 1979 and older. The cruise starts at 5 Points with introductions of the Cruise Champions at 6 pm. The cruise goes up and down McHenry, like we used to do and then loops J 10th /11th and I street and back to 17th. This is a family fun night in downtown Modesto and out McHenry. Make sure you get out early to see parade and see Cruise Champions and American Graffiti film stars Mackenzie Phillips, Candy Clark and Gene Winfield. 2023 Grand Marshal is John Kearney.

To get details and exhibit info, http://www.americangraffitifestival.com/ Exhibitor info, check in and festival host location:

Graffiti Groovin’

Let’s get Groovin’ on a sunny afternoon!

Please welcome the original Rascals to a special afternoon show at the Gallo Center. Original Rascals Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish are Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, Grammy Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Songwriter Hall of Fame members, The Rascals are widely considered the best ‘blue-eyed soul’ group to come out of the 1960s and their music is the soundtrack of a generation. The Rascals have 17 Top 20 hits, seven Top 10 hits, and three No.1 hits: “Groovin’,” “People Got To Be Free” and “Good Lovin’.” Enjoy the sounds of Rascals on Sunday June 11– Gallo Center for the Arts

Sing-A-Long Grease

Summer Lovin! This will be one of the most fun events as you can get all dressed up, bring the family and see a movie that you know you love, and sing every song at the top of your lungs, along with a packed theatre of Graffiti friends. They even have the words on the screen for the Grease Sing A Long. You need to do this. The State does have a martini bar so it could even be more fun. June 10 - 2 pm Tix $6 www.thestate.org

Classic Hits

George Lucas built American Graffiti around some of the best songs ever. The music was so important to him, that he spent nearly 10% of the total budget to make the film on music rights. It was the first movie to be built around pop songs as most movies and musicals had songs written for the story. To this day, the songs in the Graffiti soundtrack are some of the best. Many of these are based on the hits of legendary local musician Roddy Jackson, the Central Valley Fireball. Sadly, we lost Roddy this year, but his music will go on forever.

The Graffiti Spirit is good for our soul, it is good for our economy and it makes us a special place that should be a destination for people around the world and Graffiti Summer is our time of the year. People from around the world come to Modesto to get their own slice of ModestoCana, feel our Graffiti spirit and be a part of our Graffiti

Get ready for a summer full of fun and excitement with the Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum! We are thrilled to announce that we are participating in over ten classic carthemed community events throughout June! The Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum volunteers offer free interactive kid’s activities, including crafts, a scavenger hunt, dress-up, and more! We will also launch some exciting new branded merchandise for purchase, including limited-run waterproof Pendleton blankets and thermoses that are perfect for all your summer road-tripping adventures! We are also introducing some new colorways and designs for hats and t-shirts. These items are perfect for showing off your Graffiti Summer spirit! By grabbing some of our merchandise, you can take home a piece of Modesto’s classic car culture while supporting our cause simultaneously!

Don’t miss our community outreach booths at the following events:

• June 3, 2023, 9AM-3PM, 50’s Roadhouse Classic Car Show & Festival in Knights Ferry

• June 4, 2023, 9AM-3PM, Graffiti Classic at McHenry Village

• June 5, 2023, 5PM-8PM, Park N’ Shine at American Chevrolet

• June 6, 2023, 5PM-8PM, Park N’ Shine at Century Center

• June 7, 2023, 3PM-9PM, Legends of the Cruise Event & Park N’ Shine, Downtown Modesto

• June 8, 2023, 5PM-8PM, Park N’ Shine at Cool Hand Luke’s

• June 10-11th, 2023, 9AM-5PM, American Graffiti Car Show & Festival

• June 17, 2023, 9AM-3PM, Back to Graffiti Car Show at the Fruit Yard

• June 25, 2023, 9AM-3PM, Rod and Custom Car Show at the Elks Lodge

Visit Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum - Graffiti Festival Weekend!

We are also excited to offer sneak peeks of our construction progress at the Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum! Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum will be opening our doors to the public for the American Graffiti Festival weekend! On Friday, June 9th, from 9AM-12PM, 610 KFRC will broadcast live from “The Sturgeon” mobile studio from our parking lot. This is your chance to see what we’ve been working on and to learn more about our museum. You can also visit our gift shop to purchase your Graffiti themed memorabilia. Visit Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum June 9th-11th from 9AM-4PM for this one-weekend-only event!

Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum at the State Theater

On Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 9AM-10AM, we will be sponsoring a kids’ craft event at the State Theater before the showing of “Cars,” the movie. Kids can customize their own matchbox-style car, pick up coloring pages, get their Graffiti Summer passport stamped, and more!

Support Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we rely on our community’s and donors’ generosity to bring our vision to life. All our board members, advisors, and volunteers are unpaid, donating their time and services to promote Modesto’s classic car culture. By donating, you can help us complete the Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum construction. We appreciate your support! Scan the QR code below to donate.