Xclamation Festival

The Xclamation Festival or X Fest is an annual festival that takes place on the streets of downtown Modesto on the third Saturday in July except in years when there are five weeks in July, when it takes place on the 4th Saturday). Begun in 2000 and organized by Chris Ricci Presents, Inc., the day is characterized by a Mardi Gras atmosphere, concert performances that go into the late evening hours, and a motto of "Good Times, Downtown." The festival takes place on the streets of downtown Modesto from 9th to 12th between J and H Streets and features 40 bands on 8 stages over the course of 8 hours.

“(X Fest) is a little bit rock, a little bit hip hop, a little bit funk and all Modesto." [ [http://thehive.modbee.com/?q=node/4736 Live-ish Blog: X-Fest You All Night Long | The Hive ] ] Recent headlining bands include: Blue October, DJ Dan, Digital Underground, and Y&T in 2007, Joe Diffie, Pepper, Vanilla Ice, and Marshall Tucker Band in 2006. Performers from previous years include Grandaddy, Tone Loc, Berlin, Young MC, Pat Travers, Fastball, Bus Boys, Dazz Band, Rose Royce, Powerman 5000, Sir Mix A Lot, and Blessid Union of Souls.

The festival is 21 and over only and has boasted crowds that average 15,000 people, the capacity limit set by the City of Modesto. The festival has been a source of controversy at times through its existence, with some city council members who said they supported downtown music but feared drinking at X-Fest was not worth the risk it presents to the city. ["Modesto puts an Xclamation mark on 2007", The Modesto Bee, April 3, 2007]

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