Graffiti 2021 - PART ONE

Graffiti 2021 PART 1

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2021 GRAFFITI | OPEN

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C O N T E N T S EVENTS............................................................. 6 CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM...................................... 8

2021

STILL CRUISING................................................ 10

PUBLISHER/OWNER Hank Vander Veen EDITOR Sabra Stafford

MID VALLEY CHEVY CLUB................................. 12

ART DIRECTOR Harold L. George

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman SALES & MARKETING

WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS

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2021 GRAFFITI | EVENTS

By VIRGINIA STILL

T

he pandemic may have stalled last year’s festivities but local car clubs, vendors and other participants are revving up for Graffiti Summer 2021 in Modesto. The annual extravaganza returns to downtown Modesto with the same traditional festivities and a few new ones. Fans and families can enjoy classic cars from many car clubs including: Modesto Area Street Rod Association, Mid-Valley Chevy Club, the Faros, and many others. The efforts that they put into their vehicles are always on point. From sleek lines, roaring motors, polish and wax jobs; their hard work and pride will be

on display for all to appreciate.

There was a collaboration of different groups that met in January to discuss the possibility of hosting a Graffiti summer this year and what that would look like including the Graffiti parade and festival chairs, the North Modesto Kiwanis Club, Visit Modesto, MASRA, and Mid-Valley Chevy Club.

Visit Modesto’s CEO Todd Aaronson explained that in March they really started looking at dates to hold the festivities and began working with the City of Modesto to determine how they could relaunch the Graffiti summer GRAFFITI 6

and all the festivities.

“At the end of March we were looking at August as a potential time,” said Aaronson.

“The car clubs all looked at the master calendars throughout the west and then we found dates that might work, made a proposal to the City of Modesto that they tentatively accepted pending any other government restrictions, and they have been great to work with. It has been a regular and consistent process amongst all of us for several months getting ready for Graffiti summer again and then we have added a lot of special events around it as well.”

AUGUST 2021

Kicking off the festivities will be the annual Graffiti Classic Car Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Aug. 15, presented by MASRA at the McHenry Village Shopping Center. At 2 p.m. that day there will be a showing of the classic film “American Graffiti” at the State Theatre.

Mid-Valley Chevy Club Park ‘n Shine will be held at multiple locations, on Aug. 16 at the Century Center in downtown Modesto; on Aug. 17 at Vintage Faire Mall; on Aug. 18 at Cool Hand Luke’s in Riverbank; and on Aug. 19 at 10th Street Plaza. For more information and times visit www.midvalleychevy.com.

Music is a huge part of Modesto culture and they are contemplating a music festival for free in downtown Modesto slated on Aug. 28.

Moband will host a concert in the park once again. Admission is free for guests at the Mancini Bowl at Graceada Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 18.

On Aug. 19 there will be a Cruise Walk of Fame Celebration in downtown Modesto.

The North Modesto Kiwanis Classic Car Parade will cruise through downtown Modesto on Aug. 20. The parade will feature a multitude of classic cars, hot rods, and street rods and starts at 5:30 p.m. On Aug. 21 and Aug. 22 the club will host their annual American Graffiti car show at the Modesto Municipal Golf Course from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A new event added to the lineup of festivities is the Furiously Fast Weekend starting on Aug. 26 through Aug. 29 at the State Theatre.

The first eight films of the “Fast and Furious” franchise will be shown over the four days for one price. For more information, visit furiouslyfastweekend.com.

“So it is one price, eight films four days,” noted Aaronson. “People will be able to buy a pass for the whole weekend and go to any movie they want or all the movies or they can buy each movie individually depending on

what their speed is. Then we are working with other car clubs to do pop ups that weekend with contemporary cars and much more energetic modern vehicles attracting a different car audience, but a lot of car audiences crossover.”

The “Grease” sing-a-long tradition returns to the State Theatre from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 28.

Music is a huge part of Modesto culture and they are contemplating a music festival for free in downtown Modesto slated on Aug. 28 as an added event during the Furiously Fast weekend.

Aaronson has been the CEO with Visit Modesto for the past two years but has participated in the Graffiti summer for the past 16 years.

“Modesto is a community made up of a lot of different things,” said Aaronson. “Our history is vast from agriculture to car culture to river rafting to murals and celebrating each component of what makes Modesto great is critically important not just for our community but to tell the world.” ● The calendar is being updated on a regular basis so for more information visit americangraffitifestival.com or graffitisummerclassic.com.

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2021 GRAFFITI | CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM

GRAFFITI USA

CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM

By SABRA STAFFORD

M

odesto’s perhaps most celebrated claim to fame is George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” and its homage to classic cars and cruising. The annual Graffiti Festival draws in revelers near and far for car shows, concerts and cruising. Soon, that celebration of Americana won’t be just for a short time in summer, but rather can be marked all year long when the Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum opens its doors.

The board of directors for the museum and their volunteers are planning on having at least

a portion of the museum open at the start of October.

Down the line when the museum is completely finished it will be an immersive experience that will include a replica of downtown Modesto storefronts circa 1940s-1960s, a working radio station, a classic 1950s diner serving a simple menu, and a record store. The museum also will have an event and catering kitchen, a gift shop, exhibits and memorabilia on automotive and Modesto history, and an educational component on the evolution of engines.

“Memorabilia is what really gives a museum its personality,” said Graffiti USA Museum Board President John Sanders.

Of course, the real stars of the museum will be the hundreds of classic automobiles that will be on display.

“The classic cars and pickups that will be in the museum will all be customized and that will make them different from any other cars in the world,” said Sanders. “The customized work is what makes them so special and unique.”

The idea of having a museum to celebrate

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Modesto’s cruising history has been one kicked around for years, but really started to take shape when the old Warden’s Office building came up for sale and the museum board opted to buy it a year ago.

“The stars just aligned,” Sanders said.

The space is 45,000 square feet over two connected buildings with five large rooms. Located at 610 9th Street, the location is less than a mile from the original Burge’s Drive In, which was the traditional turning point of the cruise in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The board envisions the museum becoming a popular destination for travelers, especially among those making a trek to San Francisco and Yosemite. It’s also believed the museum will be an economic driver for Modesto. In fact, it’s a goal stated in the museum board’s mission statement.

“Our Mission is to grow the attraction of Modesto as a destination for events, entertainment, vacations, and tours while capitalizing on the nostalgia and Modesto’s cultural history celebrating Modesto’s love affair with the automobile.”

The board has already been given some

Modesto memorabilia and a few vehicles have also been donated to the organization.

“We are seeing a real positive response from the community and we haven’t even really started any outreach efforts yet,” Sanders said.

The Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum has a nine member board, a council of advisors with 13 members and a 22-person committee helping get the work done.

“Everyone is excited to see it come together,” Sanders said. ● For more information visit graffitiusamuseum. com.

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2021 GRAFFITI | MODESTO PARADE

P

By SABRA STAFFORD

icture the scene: A warm Saturday night in Modesto. Dusk is approaching and the downtown shops and offices have locked up and turned the signs in their windows from open to closed. Maybe in the distance you can hear the low rumble of an engine as the car makes its way to 10th Street.

It won’t be long before this is the domain of teenagers cruising a circuit along 10th and 11th streets, yelling out to one another as the cars slowly pass by with the sound of Rock n’

Roll lofting out the car radios and providing the night’s soundtrack. Likely, before the cruise comes to an end, the flirting between one car full of girls and another full of boys will end with both cars parked at Burge’s drive-in.

This is a ritual that will play out over and over again each weekend and will come to symbolize a moment of youthful innocence and possibilities that will be immortalized in Modesto native George Lucas’ film “American Graffiti.” In doing so, Modesto’s future will be

linked with cars and cruising for decades to come.

Modesto has had its ups and downs with cruising in the past, but has come to embrace this slice of American culture and now celebrates it annually with Graffiti summer.

The 2021 American Graffiti Festival & Car Show, the oldest and largest of Modesto’s Graffiti-related celebrations, will be Aug. 20 to 22, and will feature hundreds of classic cars in a Friday evening parade downtown and on

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McHenry and a Saturday and Sunday car show and music festival at the Modesto Muni Golf Course at Tuolumne Boulevard and Roselawn Avenue.

This is the 22nd year for the event, sponsored and organized by the Kiwanis Club of North Modesto. Net proceeds go to local youth programs.

The show is expected to draw more than 1,000 classic cars and trucks – 1979 and earlier – from throughout the West.

The weekend opens at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 with a parade on downtown streets and out McHenry Avenue and back. Because of congestion in previous parades and changes in downtown streets, this year’s parade is limited to the

The festival also features a lineup of top local rock bands, a variety of food, craft and other vendors as well as a beer/wine garden. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22.

The live music includes Seve Botello as Elvis from 11 a.m. to 12:30 Saturday, followed by Third Party Band, performing 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s music from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Triple D will wrap up the Saturday entertainment from 3 to 5 p.m. with more ‘60s to ‘80s rock. The popular tribute band Threshold, performing the music of Chicago, War and other bands, will entertain from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The awards presentation for top cars is at 2 p.m. Sunday.

first 800 car show registrants. Street closures will begin about 3:30 p.m. Aug. 20.

Fewer cars should mean the parade moves along steadily, explained Brent Burnside, festival chairman. “We know the owners want to ‘cruise’ the route more than once, and the spectators want to see as many of these beautiful vehicles as possible. We hope this will make it a better parade for everyone.”

There is no limit on entries for the Aug. 21 and 22 festival and car show, where spectators can walk through rows of vintage and classic vehicles.

“Sunday also will feature some contemporary muscle and specialty cars as we try to merge the generations of all car cultures,” Burnside said. “This is a family event for everyone.”

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Spectator admission to the car show and festival is $10 per person, with children 12 and under free. Tickets will be available at the gate or can be purchased in advance through EventBrite. Service dogs only at the show; no pets.

Owners of classic vehicles may register for the show online at www.americangraffitifestival.com/nmk. The cost is $65 per vehicle through Aug. 8 and $75 after that date. Packet pick-up and late car registration will be from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 in the Modesto Junior College Ag Building at College and Coldwell avenues. Once the 800- vehicle limit for the parade is reached, registration for the show and festival only will continue. The registration fee includes one festival T-shirt.

Others will be available for $25 each. For more information: email nmkcarshow@comcast.net or call 209-447-5962. ●

2021 GRAFFITI | CHEVY CLUB

Mid Valley Chevy revs up for Graffiti summer

By DENNIS CRUZ

D

owntown Modesto will be rocking after a year of silence. Graffiti is back and among the large car scene will be Mid Valley Chevy Club.

The club was formed in the 1970s and has been a premier club in the 209 ever since. Sam Gotshall is a former club president and has been a current member since the mid 1980s.

“I think people are going to be excited,” Gotshall said of the upcoming graffiti events. “It will be nice just to return to the festivities and people will be looking forward to it.”

When the club began, there were approximately 25 members and now there are currently over 100 members as of today.

“We are a close group of friends; honestly most of us have been friends since high school,” Gotshall said.

The purpose of the club was established for the enjoyment and restoration of classic automobiles by its memebers. The Mid Valley Chevy Club annually supports all Valley area car shows with both sponsorship and participa-

tion by its members. it also helps the community through donations and supporting local service organizations.

A Park n’ Shine event will be held at the Century Center shopping center at 2401 E. Orangeburg Ave., in Modesto on Aug. 16, with cars on display. The club’s busy week continues on Aug. 17 at Vintage Fair Mall at 3401 Dale Road in

Modesto for another car show. On Aug. 18 they head to Riverbank at Cool Hand Luke’s at 2505 Patterson Road and on Aug. 19 they will be at the 10th Street Plaza in Modesto and the corner of 10th and J streets.

The club is expected to have 40 to 50 cars on site for the events.

“We will have a number of different types

of vehicles that will be out there this year,” Gotshall said. “I am not sure exactly what will be out there, but I know I personally will have a 1940 Ford Coop that will be on display.”

During Graffiti a select group of individuals will be honored with Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame. Gotshall is one of the inductees for 2021.

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•

“It’s a huge honor. I remember as a young man seeing some of these guys and now I will be recognized with them and that’s a great feeling,” he said.

Other club members previously inducted into the Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame are: Bart Bartoni, Pete Hischier, Dennis Wilson, Don Monaco, Frank Burnett, Glen Wild, Bobby Gaines, Rick Walker, Don Wood, Paul Corgiat, and Dub Kyle.

Mid Valley Chevy Club is looking for new members and those who are interested in joining can get more details on their website www.midvalleychevy. com . Current president of Mid Valley Chevy Club is Howard Rees, vice president Greg Benes, secretary Deborah Ballard and treasurer is Kathy Hein. ●

The idea of the logo is a bit of an unknown. Durant said the bow tie logo was inspired by wallpaper at a hotel, but other accounts say it may have come from newspaper ad or a coal company logo.

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2021 GRAFFITI | GRAFFITI

Keepin’ it Classic

A&W

a graffiti staple in downtown Modesto

By ANGELINA MARTIN

I

t would be easy for one to think they’d been transported back in time if they stopped by downtown Modesto’s A&W restaurant on a summer Friday night, with the headlights of classic cars illuminating the parking lot and Elvis Presley singing on stage.

The locally owned eatery has made it a point to keep the city’s rich graffiti history alive through these weekly car shows, complete with Rock-n-Roll impersonators and stories of cruising down McHenry Avenue told by those who experienced it some decades ago. If that weren’t enough to take customers back to the 1960s, those who stop in for a burger or root beer float are also treated to top-notch service from the

restaurant’s roller-skating carhops — an image all too familiar for Central Valley fans of the Modesto-inspired film “American Graffiti.”

“I didn’t grow up in the graffiti era, but it’s something that I hear about from all of our customers who come in and tell us the stories of downtown Modesto and cruising,” A&W manager Jennifer Rushman said. “Our shows with the old cars and impersonators really kind of brought back that era after the whole cruising thing was shut down.”

Rushman has worked at the A&W on G Street for over two decades, sharing graffiti culture with customers and helping to keep it alive through the restaurant’s dedication to all things

classic. Decor featuring graffiti memorabilia and kid-friendly events allow grandparents to show their grandchildren what they used to do for fun, Rushman said, and the nostalgia creates a home-like atmosphere not found at most fast food restaurants.

“We’re pretty much a family here,” Rushman said.

The drive-in is known as the home of The Pharaohs, a local classic car club, and others come from far and wide to the Friday evening car shows hosted at A&W from June through September. Hula hoop contests, karaoke and cars make for quite the event, Rushman added, and the shows have brought the community

GRAFFITI 14 AUGUST 2021

together since the late 90s.

Keeping the graffiti culture alive in Modesto is important to the entire staff at A&W, said Rushman, and they know cruising and cars are synonymous with the city.

“I think for a lot of people it’s about the nostalgia, that even though they didn’t grow up in that era, they watched the old movies and know that was a big part of everything here,” she said.

“It’s a rewarding experience when we’re in full swing and I can’t wait until we can get back to that.”

A&W still held car shows outdoors when it was safe to do so during the pandemic, and things have returned to somewhat normal since

" We invite everyone to bring their lawn chairs and their family, sit back and have an awesome burger and root beer and watch the festivities" the state’s reopening in June. Still, labor shortages as a result of COVID have left the drive-in without their famous carhops until they can hire enough workers to meet demand.

Until then, Central Valley residents can still get their graffiti fix at the weekly car shows hosted by the restaurant.

“We invite everyone to bring their lawn chairs and their family, sit back and have an awesome burger and root beer and watch the festivities,” Rushman said.

Car shows at A&W are held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Friday during summer at the downtown Modesto location, 1404 G St. For more information, call 209-522-7700. ●

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