Downtown Santa Barbara rides a summer wave of events into fall and winter activities

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A packed street party with a lot of dancing outside of the Lobero Theatre Saturday could be just the energy to get downtown Santa Barbara to pick up the pace with its locals and tourists.

The jump in people coming out for Old Spanish Days is also a good sign of interest in downtown activities.

The Downtown Organization is laying out its calendar for the coming weeks including a local sale event known as 'Shoptember', a Brewfest, dance nights in September and October, Halloween decorating, downtown trick or treating, and the holiday tree festivities.

There has also been a big social media push with the number of supporters coming on line jumping by several thousand in recent months to view videos of downtown businesses, drone shots, and activities.

There was an very large surge of people, estimated at over 1000, in front of the Lobero Saturday to keep the theatre's 100th-anniversary events in the spotlight with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Ozomatli taking the stage built on the top steps.

A year ago Chubby Checker and the Wildcats also performed for a street party crowd.

Before and after these shows, the crowd spilled over into downtown and it's viewed as an economic benefit for several blocks.

Downtown employee Stefan Bienczak says there's been an upbeat feeling lately. "I feel like downtown is going to be a prime hub for a lot of festivals  and a lot of good  energy in general because  that 's how it should be and it just  brings in way more tourism in general."

The Downtown Organization says it's a good time to catch this flow of people and have people revisit some areas they haven't seen in awhile.

Downtown Organization Executive Director Robin Elander said, "downtown has a lot of really special neighborhoods and a lot of people who make those neighborhoods  click and feel in a different way."

One of the next events downtown will be a Brewfest and a Shoptember event with specials to encourage local shopping culminating with a Sip and Shop evening September 28th.

Elander said, "it is a great way to peruse our different paseos and find those unique shops that people are not aware of and there are some great ones downtown."

There is also an on going effort to keep the streets clean, and reduce issues linked to the homeless community as it affects downtown areas including walkways and front doors areas at businesses. Bike safety is also a top priority. It's mainly focused on young ebike riders. Two of them stopped to say they enjoy the downtown and waterfront areas. They take it easy and stay in their lanes.

Westin Burnwell a high school sophomore said, "some kids are trying to do tricks and show off and do wheelies and stuff. It is not necessary and it gives all the ebikes a bad rep you know. "

Noah Roldan his friend said, "all they (speeding riders) want to do is just go fast. I think just having the bike for longer you learn I don't have to go super fast everywhere."

A regular dog walker downtown, Kelly Bartlett said she's noticed a change and , "the fact that it is more organized with the cyclists and walkers. It's humming."

Elander says all of the improvements and new activities will revive the area. "It is continuing that momentum for our business community and that is what we are tying to do and  we are always trying to showcase  different things people might not normally see or be a part of."