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It could have been 1962 in Modesto on Friday evening. So, where were you?
The answer very well could be that you were among those along the sidewalks from McHenry at Briggsmore avenues, into the city’s downtown, where a night of cruising, “American Graffiti”-style, took place.
The North Modesto Kiwanis Club’s annual American Graffiti Parade featured 1,000 vehicles making their way along the route. There was a lot of revving up and honking as onlookers cheered on the cruisers.
The Graffiti Summer event was another in a June series of tributes to George Lucas’ film “American Graffiti,” which in 1978 chronicled a night of teenage cruising in the Modesto native’s hometown.
The evening was a prelude to this weekend’s festival and car show, also put on by the Kiwanis club.
That celebration today and Sunday promises live music, some 20 food vendors and more than 30 other vendors. There will be hundreds of classic cars on display. On Sunday only, the nonprofit Valley Dream Car joins the show.
A kids’ zone will offer train rides, bounce houses and a water boat ride, for a separate fee.
For those 21 and older, there will be a beer garden, with alcohol restricted to that space.
The festival is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the Modesto Junior College West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave. Tickets are $10; free for age 12 and younger. For more, see www.americangraffitifestival.com.
This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 12:32 PM.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.modbee.com ’
