The South Coast’s annual ode to the start of summer is set to take place this weekend, but for the second year in a row because of the pandemic it won’t be in its traditional form.
Despite the recent reopenings, there wasn’t enough lead time to plan, and produce Santa Barbara’s annual Summer Solstice Celebration. It usually features a parade with about a thousand costumed participants walking up State Street, accompanied by colorful floats. And, there’s traditionally a weekend long celebration in Alameda Park.
This year, there will once again be a virtual parade, featuring individuals and groups. The virtual parade will be show in a public screening at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theater. It’s free, but you need to make a reservation online.
Then, a version of the parade will be show on Santa Barbara television station KEYT, Channel 3 beginning at 4:30 p.m.
