Edhat Staff
Click through the above slideshow of the 2018 Santa Barbara Solstice Parade (Photos: Fritz Olenberger)
Thousands gathered along State Street for the annual Summer Solstice Parade on Saturday that honored local heroes from the natural disaster events.
The 44th annual event hosted the usual charm and whimsy with colorful floats and costumes, energetic dancers, and quirky characters.
This year’s theme is “Heroes” honoring local first responders and organizations who helped during the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide. The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, a non-profit that literally helps Montecito residents dig mud out of their homes and yards, started the parade with the La Boheme dancers.
Before the parade began, a small group of activists walked ahead of the floats protesting the current presidential administration and Immigration Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) jailing of innocent children at the border. There was a smattering of applause from the audience, with a steady amount of boos. One woman nearby walked up and got in the face of a protestor exchanging words, while Santa Barbara Police officers on bicycles kept the peace and politely asked the woman to sit down.
Not long after, dancers and floats slowly made their way up the street on the steady incline. Through all the excitement, the edhat staff did not forget to keep an eye out for drums. In years past, the parade had hundreds and hundreds of drums being counted, but as of late, the drums seem to be dwindling. It took halfway through the parade to see more than a lone drummer marching up the street. But even then there weren’t that many.
For those who entered the contest, the edhat staff counted 68 drums in this year’s parade. Click here to see who won the contest.
As the parade came to a close, spectators walked to Alameda Park where bands played on the stage and local vendors set up booths selling everything from organic lotion to fairy wings.
Just a few blocks away from the park was the 8th Annual Summer Solstice Bash at a private home that opened their doors to not only friends, but passersby to listen to bands on a small, yet state of the art, soundstage. Local band Key Party blew the crowd away with their coordinated outfits and engaging musical stylings.
The Summer Solstice festival is a Santa Barbara staple and there is much fun to be had. Scroll through photos below for parade highlights.
The parade is usually quite a spectacle, with lots of energy, color and pizzazz. Possibly it was the gloomy weather, or maybe lack of drums, but for me, the parade was not was as exhilarating and upbeat as it has been in the past. Although I agree with the sentiment, the ICE protest did not seem appropriate for what the whole SB Solstice event is all about, and came across as a “fail” in my opinion. The party in the park was good fun though.
It’s their 1st amendment right to protest. Good for them! To those who are saying it’s “not the time and place,” remember that people also said that to Martin Luther King Jr. during their marches, and restaurant sit-ins.
The MLK protests had a true message….the “umpteenth” protests per year during republican administrations in SB do not. Our local protests have become so commonplace that no one pays ttention…not to mention it is always the same people and pols looking for a PR photo op. Will people protest if denuclearization of NK takes place AND the president wins a Nobel?
There is a first amendment right to free speech, to assemble peacefully and to petition government to redress grievances. Ad hoc “protests” can be controlled by the government as to time, place and manner.
like Maxine Waters, DeNiro, it just doesn’t stop …..
Bring back Zea and Dragon Mangan. Their X-rated floats really livened up the Solstice parades back in the ’90s. (Latex, leather and chains, oh my.)
I stopped going when the curb viewing area became the private property of groups hogging it with their chairs/blankets day(s) before the parade. Makes it impossible to get a good spot. People who complain about the privileged class taking over previously open mountain and beach views and sometimes the beach itself behaving exactly the same when they get the chance. Ironic to the supposed spirit of the parade when it first started. Greedy people who don’t care about other are greedy people who don’t care about others with or without money and status.
I was nearby on Sola St and saw this, the lady was saying things like go home and get out of here, etc etc. Typical privileged older white lady things. The cop put her in her place.
Ugh… glad someone put her in her place. Of all the things people have protested in SB over the years, the family separation issue is really the only one I just don’t see how anyone can support.
I am glad she stood up to the protestors – can’t we just have some fun without all the hate from the left. Jeez, chasing people from restaurants because you disagree with their political views or who they work for- how intolerant is that!
Oops- what “hate from the left?” Hate like referring to humans as “infesting” our country? Hate like making fun of disabled people? Hate like calling white supremacists “fine people?” Just curious what hateful things you’re concerned about….
No, we can’t just have some fun when nazis are running the country. Wake UP. We are living in dark dark times right now. It’s important to stand up to the forces of this darkness.
Well, we have never been living in a time like we are living in now. It’s sad, but things are awful. Deep, dark, ugly and awful, so there are going to be brave souls who are standing up to this darkness. Get used to it, at least until the blue wave washes out this filth in our government.
For those of you complaining about the ICE protest signs ruining your perfect fun in your white privilege, please think of the agony of the mothers and fathers who literally had their children RIPPED, screaming and crying from their arms, and taken away to an undisclosed location. The pain they must be feeling is palpable and staggering. I applaud the people standing up against this hatred and division. Yes, it’s our little slice of wealthy paradise here, but let’s not close our eyes to what is happening right in our country. Sheesh. The selfishness of some people.
If the protesters were not a sanctioned entry in the parade, I would hope that the police would do their job and cite/disperse for disturbing the peace and/or unlawful assembly. While I did not disagree to some extent with their vision, find a new venue kids…
There is a time and a place for protest. This was not one of them. They embarrassed themselves, looked like buffoons, and killed the early happy vibe of the parade. I agree with message, but they hurt the cause. Nothing positive came out their stupid protest. What did they really expect to accomplish? Attention for themselves…?
The police seemed to be escorting them, so, as much as I hate to burst your bubble, these “kids” seemed to have every right to protest.