Summer Solstice Parade brightens up Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.— Santa Barbara is a little brighter today following another successful Summer Solstice celebration.

The spirit of Santa Barbara was highlighted by the colorful floats, enthusiastic dancers, animated puppets, and energetic drummers.

Tens of thousands of visitors lined up and down Santa Barbara Street to celebrate this parade’s 49th year.

Santa Barbara locals like Mike Senzamici have been living in Santa Barbara almost since the early days of Solstice. Senzamici described this year’s festivities: ““Beautiful weather, beautiful people and a beautiful parade.”

Even tourists like Karen Dridiron, who was visiting from Marino Valley, compared the parade to Mardi Gras, saying, “This is my first time and I love it with all the colors. I feel like I’m in New Orleans right in Santa Barbara, California.”

Visitors embraced this year’s theme of “Roots” in creative ways.

“I’m going back to my roots as an infant,” said Solstice enthusiast Sheila Lambert.

Many people shared how they interpret this year’s theme.

“The roots of Summer Solstice…how it started, and how it’s celebrated,” said Calvin Riley.

“To me that kinda means like the life blood of everything. Where does a tree come from? It comes from its roots,” said Jason Patrick O’Brien, who lives in Santa Barbara.

Skyler Matthews described why the spirit of the people at Summer Solstice makes him proud to be a Santa Barbaran.

“Genuine, authentic, good spirited, open hearted. It's the kind of people that you want to just go up to and say hi to, even though you don't know them and just strike up a conversation,” said Matthews.

Summer Solstice festivities continue through Sunday at Alameda Park.