For the first time, Summer Solstice Celebration expands the Festival in Alameda Park to include three days - June 24th, 25th, 26th. Executive Director Claudia Bratton says, “We’re now celebrating ‘Sun’ Day. We want an afternoon in the park filled with art and jazz, and fun for the whole family.”
The 37th Annual Summer Solstice Festival officially opens on Friday, June 24, at 4:00 PM in Alameda Park, with an afternoon and evening of non-stop theatrical and musical entertainment until 9:00 PM. Ms. Bratton says, “Randy Tico, one of Santa Barbara’s premier musicians puts together an amazing evening of entertainment, not to be missed, which also incorporates some of the parade ensembles and a special surprise guest.”
The Saturday Festival begins at noon and the entertainment on the main stage continues until 8 PM. Bands this year include The Away Team, Area 51, All Destroyed Momentarily, The Newcats, Yogi Mango, Victor Vega, and The Wednesday Knights. The Solstice Children’s Festival is open Saturday and Sunday, June 25th and 26th from noon until 6:00 PM with a variety of family and children’s activities, free art projects, booths, musical entertainment.
The Solstice Parade will be on Saturday, June 25th, beginning at noon at State and Cota Streets in downtown Santa Barbara, turning at Micheltorena Street and at the Festival in Alameda Park
For Sunday, Peter Clark is putting together an all star cast of jazz musicians and singers, including Lois Mahalia, Maitland Ward, Kalinka, Out of the Blue, and more plus an all-star jam with a special guest.
There will be live entertainment From 1:30 to 6:00 pm on the main stage featuring soft jazz music as well as entertainment on the children’s stage from 1:30 to 6:00 pm. All of the arts and crafts booths, food booths, and beer and wine garden will be open for all three days of the Festival.
Ms. Bratton says, “The focal point on Sunday will be a community mural under the direction of mural artist Carlos Cuellar. We hope that people of all ages will help create this mural which will be approximately 60 feet long.” Carlos Cuellar will be working with a group of teenage artists on the design.
The Solstice Celebration has grown into Santa Barbara’s largest arts event, drawing
more than 100,000 spectators from around the world, with more than 1,000
parade participants. As a 501(c)3, nonprofit community organization,
Solstice Celebration has become a year-round organization, bringing the
community together through the arts.
Photo by Fritz Olenberger
June 24, Friday Festival 4 – 9 pm, Alameda Park
June 25, Saturday Parade – Noon, State and Cota
Saturday Festival – Noon – 8 pm, Alameda Park
June 26, Sunday Festival – Noon – 6 pm, Alameda Park
