17th Annual Salute To American Graffiti Car Show, Cruise Is Saturday

PETALUMA, CA — The 17th anniversary of the annual Salute To American Graffiti Car Show and Cruise is Saturday, May 18, in Downtown Petaluma.

The event is put on by Cruisin' the Boulevard, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by a group of classic car and "American Graffiti" enthusiasts to pay tribute to the movie — mainly filmed in Petaluma in 1972 — and rekindle the happy days it portrays while also benefiting Petaluma.

The event is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and end at approximately 8 p.m., with the cruise starting at 4 p.m.

To accommodate the car show and cruise, the following road closures will be in place from 5 a.m. Saturday until around 8 p.m.:

• Water Street, American Alley, Telephone Alley and the A Street Parking Lot
• Petaluma Boulevard North (between D Street and Washington Street)
• The No. 2 eastbound lane of Washington Street (between Keller Street and Petaluma Blvd. N.)
• Western Avenue (between Petaluma Blvd. N. and Keller Street)
• 4th Street / Kentucky Street (between D Street and Washington Street)
• B Street (between 2nd Street and 5th Street)
• C St (between 2nd Street and 5th Street )
• 2nd St (between B Street and C Street )

Police noted that eastbound and westbound traffic on D Street will be condensed to one lane in each direction starting at 4 p.m. for the cruise. Further, no northbound Petaluma Boulevard South traffic will be able to enter westbound traffic on D Street.

During the Cruise, those with classic cars registered in the event will exit D Street and have the option of driving up to 10th Street, then turning onto B Street and reentering the event at B Street and 4th Street.

"The Petaluma Police Department is working at the event and will reasonably accommodate any traffic-related issues," said Petaluma police Traffic Sgt. Walt Spiller. "The Petaluma Police Department appreciates the public's patience and understanding and requests that those who cannot avoid the area allow plenty of travel time."

Net proceeds from each annual Salute — a non-alcoholic community event for all ages— are invested in the group's community projects, as well as community programs that benefit arts, education, history, safety and welfare.