Free summer events cut entertainment costs while families battle inflation elsewhere

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Your last trip to the grocery store, car fill-up, or a dinner out could remind you of the jump in costs during what's been described as a concerning inflationary time.

There are no quick answers, but many people have found free summertime activities as a way to enjoy music, movies, and time together without expensive costs.

These events include the UC Santa Barbarta Arts & Lectures Series Summer movies under the theme Sun, Surf and Cinema held in the Courthouse Sunken Gardens.

It is week six this evening with the free movie "Mama Mia" on the large screen that faces what is usually about 1500 people.

Other events include the six-week series at Chase Palm Park called "Concerts in the Park." It wrapped up Thursday night.

Goleta also has weekly shows at the Rancho La Patera and Stow House lawn with live music and dancing. They are held on Tuesdays and there are two more shows left in that schedule.

Carpinteria just wrapped up its four-week run of movies at the Linden Field grass by the State Park Campground.

At some events, there are some food trucks but many people pack a low-cost picnic to go with the no-cost show.

Michael Playford a downtown resident attending the weekly movie at the Courthouse said, "I think it is incredibly kind to have events that people that just can come to and there isn't an expectation that you have to spend money to it but also having a lot of options right?"   

Some make it a point to sit with friends in a pot luck style gathering to eat, chat, and at times get up for some dancing if it is a music show.

Organizers encourage respect from those attending who are close to others and also lower back chairs to make sure there is good viewing.

For those attending all of these free shows, especially with children, the savings on entertainment could be in the hundreds of dollars.

It is especially important to offset other rising costs in their budget.

Riley DeWitt said, "it's easy to get a lot more friends to join you because you don't have to worry about people's  income or how much they are making at a free event."

A new resident to downtown, Alex Borja said, "it is a great way to meet people  that live around here and get  integrated into the community without spending a lot of money."

That sense of community and a smaller town feel is important to many people. "Everytime I come and put my blanket down I talk to somebody different," said Jen Griffith. "Everybody that is sitting on these blankets brings a snack and we end of sharing whether you knew them when you got here or you didn't."

While tossing out a blanket in a prime spot, a downtown worker not far from the courthouse, Priscilla Guerrero said, "we already spend a lot of money going out to eat and drink and stuff.  Having something like this where you come with your friends and your family, it's great."

Dewitt did some on the spot math DeWitt said, "with drinks being so expensive now you can spend  $100. a night going out on State Street. Here we bring a cheese board,  more like $20, and a free movie." She has been to the weekly movies, the concerts in the park, Fiesta events and the Solstice weekend stage shows this summer.

During a recent show at Concerts in the Park, prior to the music the crowd was asked how many had been to every show. A large response came back from the crowd.

A check on the Central Coast shows many cities have had similar summer events but they will end soon as the seasons change and the cooler temperatures return.