By Chris Murphy
I love this time of year. Modesto USA shines during Graffiti Summer, literally, with all of the shiny paint and chrome, it’s amazing.
Modesto USA, located on historic US 99 was one of the stops with a new round drive-in as motorists began exploring America after World War 2. Neon clad drive-ins beckoned the traveler with tasty food and car hop service. Soon, locals out for a drive made the iconic drive ins their home. Modesto most notable drive in was Burge’s.
This became the primary cruising, then called “dragging” meet up spot. Other drive ins like Al’s, Felix, Warrens, Webs, Sno-White, A&W, and Fast Eddy’s also attracted the cruisers, but the iconic round Burge’s was the standard bearer, with KFIV 1360 DJ Dwight Case, broadcasting the am radio hits and dedications from a booth inside the restaurant.
George Lucas got it right according to many of Modesto’s Legends of the Cruise. The film American Graffiti really captured the spirit, the music, the fun and the camaraderie of the time.
As Modesto re-awakens after the rescinding of the “Cruising Ban” that was enacted in 1990, a new era begins for Modesto. Modesto’s low-rider community has really become a shining star in our ever-evolving Graffiti story and is introducing the cruise culture to new generations. As the community works to build the Graffiti USA Museum, that will not only keep Modesto’s cruising history alive as well as become the sole central valley California Welcome Center, new stories are being written, more cars are restored, new music is being made as we treasure and celebrate our history as we look to the future with the freedom to cruise again and bring people together. That is Modesto’s magic.
The birth of cruising
Following the end of World War II, there was a new freedom. Gone were the ration tickets, tires and rubber were prevalent, gasoline was available and the freedom of the open road and streets of towns across the USA beckoned the drivers of America. Many would hit the open road, stopping at the new whimsical road-side diners and a new innovation called the “drive-in”. The kids in town discovered a new meet up place and the nights of the cruise began. In Modesto, it was dragging 10th, with Burge’s Drive-In located at 9th and O Street, being the turnaround.
History of the 1948 Photo – Photo credit – Belt Family
One of Modesto’s most famous pictures is the 1948 promotional photo for Burge’s Drive In for the 1948 MJC Buccaneer yearbook. The significant thing about this picture is that is shows the very beginning of the cruise. This group of kids, piled into a 1947 Plymouth convertible with white walls exemplified this new era of hanging out at the Drive In and a new ritual that would go on for decades.
Patricia Michelle Laird and Sarah Jane Paradis Sulak were two of the girls in this picture. Thanks to Steve and Linda Pedego, we were able to spend time with them back in 2014 and learn about how the photo came to be. “We were at Burge’s most days after school or between classes and just hung out, even in the evenings”, explained Sarah Jane. “We were advertising Burge’s for an ad in the Buccaneer”. We were there at school having lunch, and they asked us to pose for it.” When asked about cruising, they said “We didn’t really cruise 10th as this was just at the very beginning when they just started cruising. It was exciting”. It was so good to spend this time with them. Sarah passed away in 2016 and Patricia in 2022. They were ahead of their time in 1948.
In the photo, Carhop-Gerry Ramirez, Driver- Jack Floyd, F Passenger- Mimi Cox Draper, LR- Leroy Cunningham, Middle Rear- Patricia Michelle Laird, Right rear– Dick Hardy, Right front in shadow- Sarah Paridis Sulak. Coupe driver- Ben Gragg
The Big American Graffiti Festival and Cruise Parade
When the North Modesto Kiwanis club converted their Concourse de Elegance car show into a classic car and street rod show in 1999, it would change the course of Modesto’s classic history celebration forever. This event is the cornerstone of Modesto’s Graffiti Summer and has hosted film stars, hot rod royalty and our own Legends of the Cruise. For 3 days, Modesto is visited by thousands of cars and thousands of visitors, all here to check out Modesto USA. Friday night at 6:00 pm is the official American Graffiti Cruise, looping around the Historic Cruise Route and then running out McHenry, the scene of Graffiti night and turning around at McHenry Village. This is a great way to see the registered cars in their native cruising environment. Saturday and Sunday, the American Graffiti Festival continues at MJC West. All kinds of classics are on display, with music all day long, loads of great food vendors and local community resources. There will be an awards program on Sunday afternoon. Please plan on attending this fun show and bring the family. This event raises thousands of dollars for many local non-profits. All profits go back to the community.
See you at the show! You can learn more and get tix here > www.americangraffitifestival.com<www.americangraffitifestival.com>
MJC West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Avenue Modesto.
Saturday 9 am – 5pm and Sunday 9 am – 3pm
Tix are $10 and kids 12 and under are free
Low Riders Bring Cruising Back
It is officially legal to cruise again. Those nights up and down McHenry or back and forth on 10th and 11th are ready for you again as the cruising ban, created in 1990, was finally taken off the books. Lead by the low rider communities in Sacramento and San Jose, the move to bring back cruising to celebrate our cultures spread across California, reaching the city council of Modesto. With the support of classic car fans and the community, on July11 2023, cruising was once again legal in the home of American Graffiti.
The State’s the Place!
One of the coolest places to watch the American Graffiti Cruise Parade is in front of the State Theatre. With the neon reflecting in the chrome of the cars, it is beautiful and takes you back to 1962. This year, there is a special live feed to the inside of the State Theatre where you can watch the cool cars as they cruise in the air conditioning of the State with cocktails and popcorn. There are also a limited number of tickets for a special viewing area at the Intermission.
www.thestate.org<www.thestate.org>
Elvis is Back!
What are you going to do after the American Graffiti cruise parade in downtown Modesto. Well make sure you don’t leave after the cruise as Matt Stone & the Graceland band takes to the stage celebrating Elvis on the classic State Theatre stage. Named by Graceland and the Elvis Presley Estate as one of the Top Elvis Tribute Artists on the planet, Matt Stone is seen by many as performing one of the most authentic Elvis concerts in the world! He has even earned the approval of Elvis’ friends and family. Let’s take care of some Elvis business baby
Tickets: $40 Orchestra & $30 Balcony
Doors at 7; show at 8
1307 J Street, Modesto
www.thestate.org<www.thestate.org>
Legends Under the Oak Tree
Classic rock, on the green of the Del Rio Golf course is a great way to spend an evening. Featuring a great line up with Journey Revisited and CCSeger playing the hits of Bob Seger and CCR, this will be a great concert event to benefit the State Theatre and the Graffiti USA Museum. You will know and love EVERY song so get tix for your friends and family and support the State and Graffiti USA. Thanks to Rod DeHart and all of the amazing sponsors that brought this show to life. All are welcome to this show.
Tix are $50 advance at www.thestate.org<www.thestate.org>
8 pm – Del Rio Country Club
801 Stewart Road
Modesto, CA
Tickets at the gate are $60 cash only
Crocodiles brings Retro to life!
Do you wish you had a place to go dance it up with great sound, lots of lights in a big room with friends of all ages with some classic sounds? For over 45 years, Crocodiles has been the dancing place. Those of you that remember the Tree Frog, Vintage, California Ballroom, Fat Cat and more, know that since the disco days of the late 70s this has been a favorite spot. Opened as the Sports Page, it became the Rock Shop, Pavilion and then Crocodiles in 1991. Once inside, be blown away by the lights, the room, the booths and the fun. Theme dancing Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Oldies night on Sundays. I have driven by and seen a line to get it and you gotta love it since the joint is jumpin’.
Crocodiles Nightclub
1745 Prescott Rd. Modesto,
(209)544-1962
www.crocodilesnightclub.com<www.crocodilesnightclub.com>
Under the Disco Ball
Disco is back and you should be dancing at the Gallo Center! With meticulous attention to detail, You Should Be Dancing captures the essence of the BeeGees, delivering an unbelievable experience that transports audiences back to the golden era of disco and beyond.
June 29, 7 pm Gallo Center
www.galloarts.org<www.galloarts.org>
Graffiti Gold Radio
Who remembers KTRB? How about KFIV? Part of the magic of the cruise era was a common radio station with a local DJ spinning the hits and calling out dedications, just like Wolfman Jack. Every car had an AM radio, and you could pick up radio stations from far away places like XERB that blasted from Mexico. Our own local DJs are spinning on Graffiti Gold. These are the greatest tunes with your favorite DJs. Here is how to listen. How can you listen?
First off, and probably the easiest, is to just click this direct link:
live365.com/station/Graffiti-Gold-a29729
Google: “Graffiti Gold Oldies”
Bing: “Graffiti Gold” (At the top of the list!)
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Get Your Kicks on Route 66 by driving up Route 108
Beginning with the sounds of 1950s Chicago and traveling along the ‘Main Street of America’ to the California coast with the surf music of the 1960s, this exciting musical revue features 34 of the greatest ‘Rock ‘n’ Road’ hits of the 20th century written by Roger Bean. You will know and love every song on this road trip.
Fallon House Columbia
11175 Washington St
Columbia, CA 9531
Graffiti For Kids!
Hi! I’m Rodney the Rod and I’m Chuck Chevy.
Please join us and our friend Tina T-Bird to learn about Modesto’s cool Graffiti history.
We love cruising, spending time with our friends and look for the special kid’s space at the American Graffiti USA Festival and many of the car shows this summer. You can find cool coloring books and other fun ways to learn about classic cars. Also fun fact is the same guy that created American Graffiti, also created Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. So much fun to learn why Modesto is cool!
This is just a teaser of all the things happening here in Modesto USA for Graffiti Summer. Check out www.modestoview.com<www.modestoview.com> for a full list of regional events. Check out www.graffitiusamuseum.com<www.graffitiusamuseum.com> for Graffiti related events and check in with our friends at www.visitmodesto.com<www.visitmodesto.com>
Enjoy – Vroom Vroom!
