- This event has passed.
June 1-30, 2024: “SYV Pride” Returns to Solvang and Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country
June 1 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm PDT
Santa Ynez Valley Nonprofit, SYV Pride, Plans for Family-Friendly Parties, Parade, Festival, Dining, and Disco during the Third Annual Santa Barbara Wine Country Pride Celebration
Santa Barbara County nonprofit, Santa Ynez Valley Pride (www.SYVPride.org), has plans in place for the third annual Pride celebration to take place in the region’s various wine country towns, a multi-faceted month of events spanning June 1-30, 2024. Formed in 2022, SYV Pride’s mission is to create a safe, supportive and empowering home for the local LGBTQIA+ community in the Santa Ynez Valley through the education and celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture. In June 2022, SYV Pride organized and successfully completed its inaugural Pride celebration held in varied locations throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.
“This year’s Pride theme, ‘Small Town, Big Heart,’ is a nod to the incredible Santa Ynez Valley community. We look forward to our events this year which all center around community-building and creating spaces of joy and celebration,” said Lauren Lastra, President of SYV Pride.
Scheduled for the 2024 edition of SYV Pride is a Saturday, June 1, disco-themed Pride kick-off event at the Future Perfect Wine tasting room in Los Olivos, California, followed by a Sunday, June 2, Pride Brunch at Brave & Maiden Estate in Santa Ynez. Beginning Tuesday, June 4, continuing each Tuesday in June, the legendary Maverick Saloon in the town of Santa Ynez will host “Gayraoke.”
On Thursday, June 13, Stolpman Fresh Garage hosts “All Colors of the Rainbow,” a wine event in Los Olivos, and on Wednesday, June 19, Olde Oak Meadow Yoga Studio in Santa Ynez holds Yoga for Pride.
Lastra continued, “This will be a great opportunity to unwind before the big day.”
Proceeds, in part or in whole, and donations from all events will benefit SYV Pride.
The month’s main attraction arrives on Saturday, June 22, as the SYV Pride Parade (11:00 AM) will roll through downtown Solvang with floats, music, and more, ending with a family-centric Pride Festival at 12:00 PM in the center of town, in and around Solvang Park (corner of Mission Drive and First Street). Festival attendees should expect a kid-friendly afternoon complete with bounce houses; face painting; vendor booths; a beer and wine garden sponsored by Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Camins 2 Dreams, and Future Perfect wineries; food vendors such as Rudy’s Fresh Mexican Food, Sano Pecado, BIG JAYKES, and Big Truck Foods; live music, including a performance by The Molly Ringwald Project; and an inspirational lineup of special guests and speakers.
SYV Pride, the first such organization in the Santa Ynez Valley, informally launched in June of 2021 with a small fundraising event at Solvang’s Dana V. Wines. The organization, now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, includes the following dedicated Founding Board Members: Lauren Lastra, President, Higher Ed Administrator, Pacifica Graduate Institute; Alyce Barrick, Vice President, owner of Santa Ynez’s Queen Cup Coffee; Laura Newman, Secretary, owner of Los Olivos’ Lefty’s Coffee Co.; Ken Sorenson, Treasurer, Sorensen & Associates; and Adriana Reyes, Case Manager for Good Samaritan. Board members Kylie Tigard, Gracie Barbara, and Dani Tupper joined in late-2023. Learn more about SYV Pride’s Board, here: www.syvpride.org/who-we-are.
The June 2024 SYV Pride celebration is open to the public with ticketed and non-ticketed events. Event updates will be posted to the SYV Pride website (www.SYVPride.org), and Instagram and Facebook feeds: @SYV.Pride and facebook.com/SYVPride.
SYV Pride wishes to thank all sponsors and supporters, including: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians; Visit the Santa Ynez Valley; Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden; Allan Hancock College; Dana V. Wines; Sansum Clinic; Solvang Restaurant; Rio Vista Chevrolet; EngineTech Machine, Inc.; Alice Gillaroo; Dr. Carrie Towbes and Dr. John Lewis; and the Elliott Family.
About SYV Pride
The SYV Pride foundation is the first registered 501(c)3 nonprofit in the Santa Ynez Valley that is dedicated to supporting and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. To achieve our mission, we create the annual SYV Pride Parade & Festival; collaborate with local partners; organize, sponsor, and support other community events; and bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses. We also offer scholarships to local Santa Ynez Valley High School seniors who have shown leadership in supporting the LGTBQIA+ community and are proud to participate in the annual scholarship awardee night. In addition, we support other LGBTQIA+ non-profits that align with our mission.
SYV Pride is focused on community-based events and creates the landmark annual Pride Parade and Festival, as well as numerous events throughout Pride Month, as opposed to other local organizations which aim to develop as service providers – i.e., offering programming and services. In addition, SYV Pride partners with local community organizations, businesses, and groups to bring visibility, support, and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Santa Ynez Valley.
