Thursday is officially the start of summer. But, the region’s largest celebration will take place this weekend. 100,000 people are expected to be on hand for the 44th annual Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade.
It a’s a mix of Mardi Gras attitude and Disney creativity. On Garden Street, at Santa Barbara’s Summer Solstice Workshop, an army of artists is preparing for this Saturday’s annual Summer Solstice Parade.
Robin Elander is Executive Director of the Summer Solstice Celebration. She says while the parade is traditionally a light hearted event, this year it also pays tribute to some special members of the community, the heroes of the Thomas Fire and flood.
This year’s parade will feature about 30 ensembles, built around specific themes. Some of the largest ensembles will have about 200 people in them.
The solstice celebration is remarkable in that it brings together artists, aspiring artists, and people who just want to have fun. If you haven’t seen the parade before, it’s unique. There are only a few rules. No motorized devices are allowed. If you build a giant float, you have to have a team of people push or pull it along the parade route. No commercial entries are allowed, in fact, there are no words or symbols allowed on entries.
The parade starts at noon Saturday at State and Cota Streets, in downtown Santa Barbara, and moves up State Street to Alameda Park. The Park is home to the annual Summer Solstice Festival, which kicks off from 4-9 p.m. Friday. It continues Saturday and Sunday, with live music, food, a beer and wine garden, and arts activities and booths.
