Santa Barbara County nonprofit Santa Ynez Valley Pride, will host the third annual pride celebration to take place in the region’s various wine country towns, June 1-30.
Formed in 2022, SYV Pride’s mission is to create a safe, supportive and empowering home for the local LGBTQIA+ community in the Santa Ynez Valley through the education and celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture.
In June 2022, SYV Pride held its inaugural pride celebration held in varied locations throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.
“This year’s pride theme Small Town, Big Heart is a nod to the incredible Santa Ynez Valley community,” said Lauren Lastra, president of SYV Pride. “We look forward to our events this year which all center around community-building and creating spaces of joy and celebration.”
The SYV Pride celebration will open Saturday, June 1 with a disco-themed event at the Future Perfect Wine tasting room in Los Olivos, followed on Sunday, June 2, a Pride Brunch at Brave & Maiden Estate in Santa Ynez.
Starting Tuesday, June 4, and continuing each Tuesday in June, the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez will host “Gayraoke.”
On Thursday, June 13, Stolpman Fresh Garage hosts All Colors of the Rainbow, a wine event in Los Olivos, and on Wednesday, June 19, Olde Oak Meadow Yoga Studio in Santa Ynez holds Yoga for Pride.
Proceeds, in part or in whole, and donations from all events will benefit SYV Pride.
The main event will be the SYV Pride Parade, 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, in downtown Solvang with floats, and music. The parade finishes with a family-centric Pride Festival at noon.
The afternoon will include bounce houses; face painting; vendor booths; a beer and wine garden sponsored by Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Camins 2 Dreams, and Future Perfect wineries; food vendors such as Rudy’s Fresh Mexican Food, Sano Pecado, BIG JAYKES, and Big Truck Foods; live music, including a performance by The Molly Ringwald Project.
The June 2024 SYV Pride celebration includes ticketed and non-ticketed events. Event updates will be posted to the SYV Pride website.
SYV Pride thanks sponsors and supporters: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians; Visit the Santa Ynez Valley; Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden; Allan Hancock College; Dana V. Wines; Sansum Clinic; Solvang Restaurant; Rio Vista Chevrolet; EngineTech Machine, Inc.; Alice Gillaroo; Dr. Carrie Towbes and Dr. John Lewis; and the Elliott Family.