If you’re a fan of hot rods or muscle cars, chances are, you’ve seen the movie, “American Graffiti.” If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out. “American Graffiti,” is a movie that launched the careers of actors and actresses the likes of, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, and George Lucas, to name a few.
The film centers upon a group of friends who have just graduated high school and are faced with life changing decisions and opportunities. There are twists and turns in the plot, but what remains constant throughout the entirety of the movie are the cars. Whether you’re watching Toad cruise the strip in his buddy’s 1958 Chevy Impala, or John Milner take on Bob Falfa’s sinister Chevy One-Fifty, in his bright yellow ’32 Duece coupe, there is no shortage of gorgeous metal on-screen.
The movie takes place in 1962, Modesto, California. Interestingly enough, Modesto is the hometown of the director, who some of you may know. George Lucas. As such, the movie gained a cult following with not only car enthusiasts everywhere, but residents of Northern California’s Modesto. So it is not by chance that Modesto has hosted The American Graffiti Festival and Car show for the past twenty years.
George Lucas wanted to give audiences a glimpse at what life was like for him growing up in a small town in the Central Valley. He did that by showing young people cruising up and down the main strip in their hot-rods on a Saturday night. The main strip in Modesto was, and still is, McHenry Avenue. Coincidentally, the festival and car show being put on by the North Modesto Kiwanis Club, will cruise the same strip.
The festival and car show will take place from Friday June 8th to Sunday June 10th. While the festival and car show are being hosted by the North Modesto Kiwanis, the event will be preceded by a whole week of activities related to, “American Graffiti,” and can be viewed at visitmodesto.com.
After twenty years, it should come as no surprise that the festival and car show are slated to be a big attraction. Last years show had a turn out of over thirteen-hundred cars from all over the United States. There will be a great number of vendors selling food and merchandise, as well as several live bands. You won’t want to miss it. So, dust off your Bobby socks and poodle skirts, polish up your ride, and let’s cruise.
Find out more about the festival and car show at americangraffitifestival.com.