Schedule: Get Ready For #Petaluma’s American Graffiti Cruisin’ On The Boulevard

An annual Salute to American Graffiti honors George Lucas’ timeless, coming-of-age film, American Graffitimost of which was filmed in Petaluma in the early summer of 1972. Grab your favorite squeeze, jump into your hot rod, candy-colored screamin’ machine or the family car for that matter, and cruise on back to the “happy days” of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Here is our video playlist from last year’s event:

Here is the 2015 Schedule:

American Graffiti-2Friday, May 15, 2015

  • 11–4:30 pm: 4th Annual Customer Appreciation Day – with giveaways, free hot dogs and sodas
    Larson Racing Products 345 Lakeview St Petaluma
  • 4 – 8 pm: Cruise-in Social with music from XERB Radio Broadcasting on FM 88.1. There will be reserved parking for 1975 and older American vehicles. American Graffiti collectibles will be available
  • 4 – 8 pm: Come meet the folks from the American Graffiti Tribute Team as they bring back the memories of the movie
  • 4 – 7 pm: Come visit with the movie stars. This year, Candy Clark, Bo Hopkins, and Lynne Stewart will be joining us.
  • 6:30 pm: Presentation of the Henry Travers & Rich Poremba Scholarships to local students

 

Candy Clark Start In American GraffitiSaturday, May 16, 2015

  • 8:30 am: XERB – Tune your radio to XERB – 88.1FM – DiscJockey and Petaluma Mayor, David Glass, will be hitting the microphone with some great old tunes.
  • 8:30 am – 8 pm: Cruiser Retail opens – Get all your American Graffiti merchandise
  • 10 am to 1 pm: Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby, Theater Square, C & 2nd Sts
    New in 2015, The Cub Scouts have opened their track pinewood derby car and race it against other cars for trophies.
  • 10 am to 7 pm: Visit with the movie stars from American Graffiti. Candy Clark, Bo Hopkins, and Lynne Stewart will be glad to see you and sign some pictures for you
  • American Graffiti Panning Photo10 am to 4 pm: Stop by the American Graffiti Display on the corner of Western Ave and Kentucky St. There you will see and meet cars. You will also see a few of the cars and their owners that were featured in the movie.
  • 2 – 5 pm: Opening day for the Petaluma’s Farmers Market, Walnut Park, 4th & D St. Enjoy farm fresh produce from some of Petaluma’s local farms
  • 2:30 – 4:30 pm: Meet the famous local Clo the Cow and have your pictures taken with her, she’s simply MOOvelous.
  • American Graffiti-924-8 pm: Cruise Starts – They’re bringing back the good times you remember from your high school days when the roar of 400 plus classic cars start their engines and take to the streets to do what they were made to do, Cruise the Boulevard.Where to Watch the Cruise: Perhaps the best place to watch the cruise will be along Petaluma Blvd, south of B Street all the way down to the turn-around circle right before the river bridge. Grab you chair, a picnic basket, something to drink, your portable radio (tuned to 88.1fm) and if necessary, jackets and a blanket. Find a spot to watch the action. Be sure to wave and give the thumbs up to all the cruisers.

CLICK PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE A MAP AND VIDEO OF THE AMERICAN GRAFFITI FILMING LOCATIONS IN PETALUMA

Event Photos of Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti

#Petaluma closes many of the downtown’s main drags to accommodate the 450 American Classic Cars and Hot Rods.  Citizens dress to mark the era, Academy Award nominated Candy Clark, an Elvis impersonator can be found as well as many of the cars that were filmed in the movie.

(Click on the photos to enlarge them)

Kentucky Street View from aftertec office
Kentucky Street View from aftertec office
Elvis Impersonator Street Artist
Elvis Impersonator Street Artist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movie Star Actress Candy Clark
Movie Star Actress Candy Clark
View down Petaluma Boulevard
View down Petaluma Boulevard

Photos of 2014 Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti

Most of the memorable scenes in George Lucas’ timeless, coming-of-age movie were filmed in the city of #Petaluma in 1972.  On May 27th, 2014 Petaluma held its Salute to American Graffiti annual celebration with over 450 classic American cars, cruising the main drag, rock-n-roll music and the happy days of the 50s and early 60s. All proceeds from this event is to benefit charities in our community projects, schools, and other programs that focus on the arts, history, safety and welfare of Petaluma.

Photography By Wayne Dunbar, Positively Petaluma

(Click on the photos to enlarge them)

1960 Chevrolet Impala Owners: Romeo & Kathy Maffia
1960 Chevrolet Impala Owners: Romeo & Kathy Maffia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1970 Dodge Coronet R/T: Owner Jerry Harris
1970 Dodge Coronet R/T: Owner Jerry Harris
M&M NASCAR: Melissa Sonoma Raceway Girl
M&M NASCAR: Melissa Sonoma Raceway Girl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Model A & Yellow '32 Coupe
Model A & Yellow ’32 Coupe
Photo by Wayne Dunbar
Photo by Wayne Dunbar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Wayne Dunbar
Photo by Wayne Dunbar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to see more event photos of the streets, people, performers and guests.

Click here to see videos of the classic cars cruisin’ on the boulevard

Click here to see the entire album of photos of this event on Flickr