Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade
Originating as a birthday celebration, Santa Barbara, California's Summer Solstice Parade began in 1974. This parade was created by Michael Gonzalez, a Santa Barbara resident and a mime and artist.[1] The parade is the largest single-day event in Santa Barbara County,[2] attracting crowds of 100,000 people or more.[1][unreliable source?] Weeks prior to the day of the parade, a workshop is opened where participating artists and technicians work with the community to conceive ideas, build floats, make costumes, and put their performances together.
History[edit]
In 1974, artist and mime, Michael Gonzalez gathered some of his street performer friends to dance down State Street in Santa Barbara, California, in celebration of his birthday.[3] Each year the parade grew until this annual event encompassed street fairs, concerts, theatre performances, floats, costumes, and dancing ensembles.[4]
The parade went on hiatus in 2020 and restarted in 2022.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Solstice Parade Website". Solsticeparade.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
- ^ "Santa Barbara Website". Santabarbara.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
- ^ Palminteri, John (June 21, 2024). "50th anniversary of the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice event comes with sunshine and thousands of spectators". News Channel 3-12. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "Everything.com". Everything2.com. March 28, 2002. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
34°25′43″N 119°42′18″W / 34.4287°N 119.7050°W
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