Santa Barbara buildings light up in blue for front line workers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Some well-known buildings across the City of Santa Barbara have joined hundreds around the world who are displaying blue lights as a way to salute healthcare and front line workers during the pandemic.

What has been named the #LightItBlue campaign started on March 26 when landmark and historic buildings in the United Kingdom were lit blue as a salute to healthcare providers responding to the COVID-19 health crisis.

The color blue represents the color UK ambulances display while responding to an emergency.

Santa Barbara's buildings began lighting up in blue on Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m.

Participating buildings include the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf, Arlington Theater Tower, Lobero Theater, Cottage Hospital sites, and the Mission Tower.

The blue lighting will remain up until the end of May, with the exception of the Sea Center.

Downtown Santa Barbara said other buildings around town plan to join the campaign soon.

The community is encouraged to visit and admire the blue lights, while physical distancing, and remember the hard work done by front line workers everyday.

Downtown Santa Barbara is also encouraging local business owners to join in by lighting their own storefronts blue. Blue light bulbs can be found at Ace Hardware and on Amazon.