Solstice Workshop getting floats ready for festival and parade

Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, and to celebrate, Santa Barbara is preparing for the 39th annual Solstice Festival and Parade.

Volunteers are working to get creative and colorful floats ready for Saturday’s parade down State Street.

“The creativity is amazing and our theme is creatures,” said Solstice Parade executive director, Claudia Bratton. “People all get the idea and they get a picture when they see the word and that makes for a good theme.”

Dozens of volunteers have been working for weeks on their creature creations. For some it’s a full-time job putting in 10 to 12 hours a day. The majority of the creative works are being made with reused and recycled materials.

“It’s always fun,” volunteer Carlos Quellar said. “It’s the best part of the year. Solstice Parade celebration is the best in Santa Barbara.”

Volunteers are welcome to join the fun. Just show up to the Solstice Workshop, located at 515 Garden St. in Santa Barbara.

Slideshow: Summer solstice preps