Edhat Staff
Get ready to join in the festivities as the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice celebrates its 50th birthday with a spectacular birthday bash on Friday, May 10th. This milestone event promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with art, music, awards, and more. Make sure to mark your calendar for this momentous occasion.
The Summer Solstice is an annual tradition in Santa Barbara that showcases the vibrant spirit, creativity, and community of the city. This year’s 50th-anniversary celebration holds even greater significance as it looks back on half a century of artistic expression and cultural unity.
The festivities will kick off at CAW, located at 631 Garden Street. The excitement begins at 6 pm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Randy Rowse, honoring the legacy and impact of the Summer Solstice over the years. Following the ceremony, the winners of the Poster Art Contest will be announced, recognizing the incredible talent and artistic contributions of local artists. Not only that, but the Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts recipients will also be recognized for their contributions to the community.
One of the highlights of the evening will be a live art auction featuring limited edition signed posters on canvas. This is your chance to take home a unique piece of art and support the Summer Solstice tradition. The auction will begin at 6:30 pm, offering attendees the opportunity to bid and own a special memento from this historic event.
Of course, no birthday celebration is complete without cake and wine. At 7:15 pm, indulge in a delicious slice of cake and raise a glass to toast the Summer Solstice’s remarkable 50-year journey. As the evening progresses, get ready to groove to the captivating music of Joss Jaffe and be entertained by the incredible DJ Darla Bea, who will keep the energy high and the dance floor moving.
Now through June 22, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum will showcase the HERE COMES THE SUN Exhibition celebrating the past 50 years of Solstice in Santa Barbara, highlighting the importance of the social and economic capital that Solstice brings to our community.
The opening reception on May 2 featured aerialists, strolling musicians, the Brasscals brass band, the Zydeco Zippers, Solstice oral and visual history, the first posters through 2024, two giant inflatable sculptures by Hungarian artist in residence Pali X-Mano. Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday noon through 6 pm.
If you want to know more about the rich history and cultural significance of the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice, visit the official website and explore the dedicated 50 years section (https://www.solsticeparade.com/50years). There, you’ll discover the evolution of this beloved event, the dedication of its participants, and the profound impact it has had on the community for five decades.
The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice 50th Birthday Bash on May 10th promises to be a monumental celebration of art, creativity, and community. Don’t miss your chance to be part of history and join in this joyous occasion. Grab your friends and family, and come together to commemorate the Summer Solstice tradition that has brought so much color and vibrancy to Santa Barbara for 50 incredible years.
Event Details here: https://www.solsticeparade.com/event-details/solstice-50th-anniversary-birthday-bash
