Summertime Music & Movie Events Remain Valuable Parts of Community Health

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.  (KEYT) - After a summer of festivals, outside movie nights, free concerts, parades and social gatherings many Central Coast residents say this combination creates a healthy lifestyles and reduces stress.

Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang and many cities are making these events part of their community plans. They are either done by a site such as a park or historical location, or through a Parks and Recreation department.

Santa Barbara had a very four week Concerts in the Park schedule on Thursday in July, with supporters asking for a longer schedule. Weekly, the turnout was about 2,000.

Ranchos La Patera & Stow House had a six-week Tuesday night series that just concluded with about 1,000 people each time.

The UCSB Arts& Lectures series Sumer Cinema has offered Friday night films in the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens. That concludes tonight with the movie Hairspray. Many people will invite friends and share food prior to the movie under the stars on the scenic lawn setting.

Wellness experts say these activities bring family and friends together, reduce stress, boost the collective community mood, facilitating cultural exchange, and build social connections.

Also getting outdoors for events also encourages physical mobility.

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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