Live music, goats, food and a bit of history were all part of the 49th annual Old Fashioned 4th of July hosted Tuesday by the Goleta Valley Historical Society at Stewards of Rancho La Patera and Stow House.
Activities included tractor rides, face painting, and food trucks such as Mony’s and AR Catering. The USofE Santa Barbara truck provided drinks throughout the event, which was held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event also had vendors, such as La Goleta Glass Co., Liv West designs, Stephen Cowan, who makes tie dye clothing and accessories, Santa Barbara Coastal Candles, Santa Barbara Sea Glass Co. and Wine Bottle Succulents.
Music was provided by Stray Herd and Donna Greene and the Roadside Daddies.
There were also displays and booths hosted by the Central Coast Vintage Machinery Association, the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society, and cars from the Santa Barbara Model A Ford Club.
“Granny’s Attic” vintage items were available for purchase with all proceeds going to the Goleta Valley Historical Society.
An old firetruck sits on display at the Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Stow House in Goleta. (Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo) 
A line forms at the AR Catering food truck during the Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Stow House in Goleta. (Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo) 
Residents watch and listen to old machinery presented by the Central Coast Vintage Machinery Association. (Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo) 
Old cars presented by the Santa Barbara Model A Ford Club are displayed during the Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Stow House in Goleta. (Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo) 
Residents watch live music on the lawn of the historic Stow House. (Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo) 
A band plays at the 49th annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Stow House in Goleta. (Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo)
“I like coming over here because I can kind of imagine how it was way back,” resident Kathy Brownett told Noozhawk.
Brownett said she was looking forward to spending the day with her family and other community members.
“This is really good for families,” she said. “We need that human contact.”
Stewards of Rancho La Patera is home to the historic Stow House, which was built in 1872 and was home for the Stow family, who were founding members of the Santa Barbara and Goleta area. People at the event were able to take self-guided tours through the house, an opportunity that happens only a few times in the year.
“History is always important,” Lisa Potter, director of operations, told Noozhawk. “You always need to know where you came from.”
Potter has been working for the Goleta Valley Historical Society for five years and said she enjoys watching community members connect with a bit of history.
Potter said she finds the property to be peaceful and that it allows residents to connect with nature and enjoy the trees that were planted when the house was first built.
“People come out here every year to celebrate the Fourth of July,” Potter said. “It’s part of the fabric of our community.”
