The road is wide This i s a BIG summer!..

There is so much to do in and around the greater Modesto area. Locally, we have some amazing things, like the Stanislaus County Fair, our local rivers and waterways, our local Modesto Nuts baseball team, and great concerts with our own local MoBand and big events at the FruitYard and the granddaddy of them all, the 150th 4th of July Parade. Yes, the 4th happens right at the beginning of the month, but it just sets the tone for a great Modesto road trip. Why is the road trip important? Heck, the highways after World War II lead to the amazing drive-ins like Burge’s, Mel’s and destinations like Little America and Stuckey’s (remember the pecan logs) across the USA.

Also, one of our favorite movies EVER is National Lampoon’s Vacation. Yes, friends, this movie has turned 40 years old! On July 29, 1983, America was introduced to the Griswold family vacation, a journey that all future road trip vacations would be judged against. Who can forget Christie Brinkley, Aunt Edna or Cousin Eddie? My own family had a Volkswagen bus and an Olds Vista Cruiser, complete with the rear-facing seats that would lead to carbon monoxide inhalation. But no vacation since would be the same since the introduction of the “Family Truckster”, as recreated by our friends at the Graffiti USA Museum, our local one-stop-shop of car and travel memorabilia. We are working with the State Theatre for a screening of Vacation. Stay tuned.

So what can you do around here, that is a Truckster trip away, without breaking the family bank and ending up at a closed-for-repair Wally World?

We have amazing local destinations, like Moaning Caverns, Yosemite (for which people travel all the way around the world to visit, free flowing white water (running high this year so check with local companies) to our local County Fair and our local baseball team, the Modesto Nuts. There is a local destination for everyone.

First off, 150 years. Think about that. For 150 years, Modesto has hosted a 4th of July Parade. Even during COVID, there was a parade and from a humble beginning to a huge event that attracted entries from all over our region, the Modesto 4th Parade is a true slice of ModestoCana. With over 100 entries, marching bands, local companies and a tribute to our Graffiti USA Museum, this is a “do not miss” event. 4th of July is a holiday, and you need to be in Downtown Modesto. Many of your local restaurants will have coveted patio space and the Stanislaus County courthouse lawn is where ModestoView’s Chris Murphy and KAT Country 103’s DJ Walker will be announcing the festivities. You simply have to be there.

10th St, to J Street, to 11th St to I Street is the course, so get your space early, Downtown Modesto July 4. 9:30 am.