Graffiti Summer 2026 Is Rolling — Our Trophy, the Cars We Restored, and What's Still Coming

Graffiti Summer 2026 is in full swing and Modesto is showing the world once again why this is the car capital of California. The first two events are in the books, the streets are alive, and the biggest weekend of the entire celebration is still ahead. Here is a look at what has happened so far, what is still coming, and why this summer means so much to everyone at Pabco Precision Auto Body.

Congratulations to Everyone Who Makes Graffiti Summer Happen

Before anything else a huge congratulations and thank you to the people who make Graffiti Summer possible. The Modesto Area Street Rod Association, the North Modesto Kiwanis Club, the Graffiti USA Museum, the City of Modesto, and the hundreds of volunteers who devote thousands of hours to organizing these events deserve every bit of recognition. All proceeds from the American Graffiti Festival go back into the community through scholarships, Christmas basket programs for families in need, and grants to charitable organizations serving youth. This is not just a car show it is Modesto taking care of Modesto.

And to every single car owner who waxed, polished, tuned, and rolled out their classic for the rest of us to enjoy congratulations. Whether you took home a trophy or just took up a parking spot, you are the reason thousands of people line these streets every June. The cars are the stars, and the owners who keep them alive are the heart of this whole tradition.

Our '65 Mustang Took Home a Trophy

We are beyond proud to share that Pabco's 1965 Ford Mustang won a trophy at the Graffiti Classic Car Show at McHenry Village on June 7 — the very first event of Graffiti Summer 2026. Standing among more than 500 incredible classic cars hosted by the Modesto Area Street Rod Association, our Mustang represented everything we put into our work every single day: precision, craftsmanship, and pride.

For a body shop, there is no better proof of quality than putting your own restoration in front of hundreds of the most knowledgeable car people in the Central Valley and coming home with hardware. Thank you to MASRA and the judges — this one is going on the shelf at the shop where every customer can see it.

We Saw Our Work Out There And It Made Our Whole Summer

Here is the part that means the most to us. Walking through the first two events, we spotted several vehicles that came through our shop cars we repaired and restored, now shining on the streets of Graffiti Summer alongside the best classics in California.

There is no feeling quite like seeing a vehicle you brought back to life rolling down the same streets that inspired American Graffiti with a proud owner behind the wheel. That is why we do this. Every panel we straighten, every coat of Lesonal paint we lay down, every frame we bring back to factory spec it all leads to moments like this. To the owners who trusted us with your vehicles: seeing them out there made our whole summer.

The Pabco Fans Are Everywhere

If you have been to the events you may have grabbed one of our Pabco fans and in this Central Valley heat, we hope it is serving you well. One side has a QR code to follow us on Instagram, and the other side links to the official Pabco Graffiti Playlist — three eras of cruising music from the American Graffiti days to modern West Coast, including our original anthem Bring It Back.

Keeping events like this alive takes the whole community the organizers, the car owners, the spectators, and the local businesses that show up. The fans are our small way of giving back to the crowd that makes Graffiti Summer what it is. And here is a tip: bring your fan by the shop and we will throw in a free headlight inspection. Listen to the playlist at pabcoautobody.com/graffiti-playlist.

What's Still Coming Don't Miss the Biggest Weekend

American Graffiti Parade and Cruise · Friday June 12 · 5:30 to 8:30 PM

Tomorrow night. One thousand classic cars cruising downtown Modesto and out McHenry Avenue to Briggsmore the same streets George Lucas cruised as a teenager. The parade registration is completely full this year, which tells you everything about how big this event has become. Watching is free. Street closures begin around 3:30 PM, so find your curb spot early. This is the crown jewel of Graffiti Summer.

American Graffiti Festival and Car Show · June 13 and 14 · MJC West Campus

Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM at 2201 Blue Gum Avenue. Between 1,200 and 1,400 classic vehicles from across California and the West Coast, live music both days, nearly a hundred vendors, and a Kid Zone for the family. Admission is $10 and kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult.

Valley Dream Car Showcase · Sunday June 14 · At the Festival

Drive something newer than 1980? Sunday is your day. The Valley Dream Car showcase at the American Graffiti Festival is open to ALL years, makes, and models — registration is $30. If you have ever wanted to show your vehicle at Graffiti Summer but your ride is too new for the classic show, this is your chance to be part of it.

Back to Graffiti Car Show at The Fruit Yard · Saturday June 20 · Gates at 7 AM

Graffiti Summer does not end with the festival weekend. The 31st annual Back to Graffiti Car Show hosted by Modesto F-100 Elite takes over The Fruit Yard at 7948 Yosemite Blvd on June 20 to 90 acres of orchards and a lake setting unlike any other car show venue in the valley. Open to all makes, models, and years, with music, vendors, bucket raffles, and awards. Proceeds benefit Shriners, Soroptimists, and Community Hospice.

More Graffiti Nostalgia All Month Long

Keep an eye out for more nostalgia events being announced throughout June — including MoBand's Graffiti Night, special classic film screenings at the State Theatre downtown, and local Park N Shine gatherings popping up around the area. The party keeps going all month.

A Little More Graffiti History — How This All Survived

Most people know George Lucas grew up here and turned Modesto's cruising nights into American Graffiti. But here is the part of the story fewer people know — this tradition almost died.

Through the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, people and their cars descended on Modesto every June for Graffiti Night. It was harmless fun and celebration for decades. But by 1993 the event had grown so massive thousands and thousands of people — that the city banned cruising entirely. That ordinance is still on the books today.

The tradition could have ended right there. Instead, passionate fans who loved their rides and what Modesto meant to American car culture rallied to organize official events that paid homage to the cruise and Graffiti Summer was born. What was once one wild night became a month-long celebration that spans generations. The cruise lives on thanks to the North Modesto Kiwanis Club and the volunteers who champion it every year, drawing tens of thousands of people to our historic cruise route.

And if you want a real taste of the old days the original hot spots like Burge's and Al's Drive-Ins are long gone, but the A&W Drive-In on G Street still has roller skating carhops delivering food to your window with the oldies playing on the drive-in speakers. Some things in Modesto never change, and we are grateful for it.

Keeping Modesto's Classics on the Road Is What We Do

Events like Graffiti Summer only stay alive if the cars stay alive. That is where we come in. For nearly 20 years, Pabco Precision Auto Body has been restoring and repairing the vehicles that carry Modesto's story — from daily drivers that got into a fender bender to the classics that roll down McHenry every June. Family owned since 2006, founded by Marine veteran Marcial Chavous, with I-CAR certified specialists in every role and a lifetime warranty on every repair.

Come find our trophy-winning '65 Mustang at the remaining events, grab a fan if you see us, and if your vehicle needs anything from collision repair to paint to a free estimate we are at 1400 N. 9th Street, Modesto, Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. Call us at (209) 524-6260. See you on the cruise.