Greetings Modesto Friends,
I look forward to Graffiti Summer every year. We are just coming off our May the 4th Star Wars day celebration. Characters from all over the galaxy came to celebrate. So now we go from one George Lucas hit to another. There is so much energy in our community as the classic cars come out, the evenings are light longer, the patios get a breeze in the evening, and the sounds of full throated V-8 motors and the shine of the chrome and the classic rock and roll fill our eyes and ears. This is a great time in Modesto USA. It truly feels like a “Classic American City” as we gather in Graceada Park for the Concerts in the Park with MoBand and head to the car shows and watch our movie, American Graffiti.
Every time I walk down 10th Street, home of the original cruise, I wish it could look like the streets in Carsland, or downtown Williams AZ or a vintage city with neon signs that just beg for the sights and sounds of the class of 1962. Living in the past? Not at all, I just love the feel of the craftsmanship of neon, an old Fender guitar, the smooth candy coat paint from an expert builder, a soft leather bag or a craft cocktail, and a town that celebrates the history that makes it special as we look to the future. We all crave authenticity and the Modesto history in the birth of cruising and Rockabilly is legit. There is so much more we can do with this. Other cities have figured it out, we can too. People from around the world love this, and it can be our neon sign, beckoning the global traveller.
Today, they can walk the Historic Cruise Route, learning about our community as they go. They can even learn from a legend with the interactive videos for each of the 25 informational kiosks. Our Walk of Fame on 10th St celebrates our Legends of the Cruise, the people that inspired American Graffiti. You should check it out. Take your kids, and friends. We need to love and protect our history and we need to nurture and grow our Modesto Graffiti USA Spirit. We have a special place in pop culture history thanks to cruising in Modesto and this cinematic gift that George Lucas gave our city.
The best thing about our American Graffiti heritage is the people and places here in Modesto. Over the years, I have met so many interesting people and have heard so many stories, some true and some not so true, but all great stories about the place we call home. This is our community. These are the people that you will meet at MoBand, at the Cruise Parade, and even in and around the local stores, our farmers markets and restaurants where we shop and eat. There is so much we can learn from our friends and neighbors.
Last month, our family did a crazy 2200 mile RV trip throughout the western USA, seeing so many iconic sights, driving on classic Route 66, visiting the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion. The best part is that we had a blast along every mile and we would do it again. For that I am the most grateful as in this classic place we live, I am lucky to have a classic amazing family and that is the most important of all. We love our home, friends and family here in Modesto. Thanks to all of you that make this place so great and interesting. I have learned from you all and I thank you.
See you out cruising
Chris Murphy
Founder and Publisher, ModestoView
chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
