'American Graffiti' returns

<p>Move over, SUVs and hybrids — this weekend it’s all about the beauty and brawn of classic American vehicles as Petaluma’s fourth annual “Salute to American Graffiti” roars through the streets of town May 14-16.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>The community-wide celebration pays tribute to George Lucas’ film “American Graffiti,” which was filmed in Petaluma in 1972, and to cars, cruisin’ and rock ’n’ roll music of the ’50s and ’60s.</p><p>The celebration shifts into high gear on Saturday with an all-day, non-alcoholic downtown event from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. featuring more than 300 classic cars and trucks filling up the streets, which will be closed to regular traffic.</p><p>The blast from the past will feature live music, street dancing and the opportunity to nosh on hot dogs, hamburgers and root beer floats at Mel’s Diner, which movie-lovers will remember seeing in the movie “American Graffiti.”</p><p>The replica of the famous diner was built inside a huge barn on the western outskirts of town by the Villa family: Susan, husband Richard and son Declan. It will be set up on Saturday in the parking lot between McNear’s Restaurant and the Lan-Mart building.</p><p>“It was kind of like building an ark inside the house,” said Susan Villa. “We’ll set it up early Saturday morning and start serving at 8:30 a.m. But it’ll just be for one day. Just like in the movies, the set goes up and the set comes down.”</p><p>The half-circle diner features black and white checkerboard panels, sheet metal flashing and an order and pick-up window. Preferred Sonoma Caterers, along with help from Leadership Petaluma, will be serving all manner of popular ’50s food-fare.</p><p>Sitting nearby Mel’s on Saturday will be a radio station reminiscent of XERB, “the Mighty 1090.” Guest disc jockeys will include Ron Walters, David Glass and Candi Chamberlain. </p><p>“Candi was part of the old KFRC days with the California Girls and quite a personality in her own right,” added Villa.</p><p>Locals will be able to dedicate tunes at the radio station, dance, hear old-school radio ads and say hello to Wolfman Jack, Elvis and Connie Francis look-alikes.</p><p>Another highlight of this year’s “Salute to American Graffiti” is the Holstein Herd, a special display of classic police, fire and ambulance vehicles that will cruise downtown, sirens and lights blaring, at 11 a.m. on Saturday.</p><p>The main event will include activities such as art shows, auctions, painted hubcap displays by local artists, appearances by stars from the film, and of course, the big classic car cruise along Petaluma Boulevard and Kentucky Street from 4 to 9 p.m.</p><p>Those eager to get an early start on the weekend fun may want to check out the American Graffiti Cruise-in and Social on Friday, May 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Petaluma Plaza and Plaza North shopping centers. </p><p>More than 200 classic vehicles are expected to attend the car show, which is also a fund-raiser for local Cub Scouts. There will be live music by the Blue Note Cats and a chance to score “Salute to American Graffiti” trading cards and merchandise.</p><p>Locals interested in getting up close and personal with the actors and crew from “American Graffiti” can purchase tickets to the annual Henry Travers Scholarship Dinner fund-raiser being held Friday, May 14. The dinner features special guests Jackie Travers, Al Nalbandian — who played Moose Lodge member Hank Anderson in the movie — actress Candy Clark and several of the film’s original production crew members.</p><p>The dinner begins at 6 p.m., with tickets on sale for $85. Seating is limited. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the Henry Travers Memorial Scholarship Fund. Travers was the transportation manager for “American Graffiti.”</p><p>Produced by Cruisin’ The Boulevard, Inc., “Salute to American Graffiti” is an all-volunteer event that benefits community projects, schools and other community programs that focus on the arts, history, safety and welfare of Petaluma.</p><p>Those unable to attend the event can watch Saturday’s festivities live at www.americangraffiti.net via a “Cruise-Cam,” which will be located at the corner of Fourth and B streets.</p><p>For details and a full schedule of events, visit www.amer icangraffiti.net.</p><p>(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@argus courier.com)</p>