As a New Orleanian, photographer Nell Campbell was well acquainted in the world of Mardi Gras and community celebrations, but when she witnessed the Summer Solstice Celebration in Santa Barbara for the first time, she had never seen anything like it.
“It was just the time, it was the mid-70s. (The parade) was really unusual, there was nothing like it,” Campbell said.
Since her discovery of the celebration in 1977, Campbell has photographed almost every Solstice parade.
On Thursday, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum opened its new exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer Solstice Celebration.
The walls of the exhibit are lined with photographs of floats, artists, dancers, and musicians — all taken by Campbell and other photographers who have documented the festivities for the past five decades.
Along with the photographs, the exhibit features masks, art, and costumes from past festival contributors and art directors. The museum has the complete set of Solstice posters from every year of the festival since 1978, which is displayed along a bright pink wall.
An annual art competition is held where artists can send in submissions to the solstice committee. The chosen artwork becomes that official poster for that year’s Summer Solstice Celebration.
Exhibitgoers on opening night were able to trace the history of the parade alongside the wall of posters.
“It really is all about creating art, and showing art,” said Dacia Harwood, the museum’s executive director.
“The Solstice workshops are all about just being as creative as you can be, and as important as our community views art in Santa Barbara and in our history, it just made sense for us to celebrate the 50th year of the Solstice.”
Guests were greeted at the entrance by a giant inflatable dragon used in a previous parade, created by artist Pali-X-Mano. He has been creating custom-designed inflatable creations for the parades since 1990.
The Summer Solstice Celebrations began in 1974, after founder Michael Gonzales and friends decided to dress up and dance around the streets of Santa Barbara.
Since then, the organizing committee has dedicated itself to spreading the love of creativity and community that brings Santa Barbara together.
“People come up with amazing things, and even if they don’t go with the exact theme, we encourage them to create with their heart,” said Solstice Arts & Residence Director Lisa Thomas.
The 2024 Summer Solstice Parade starts at noon on June 21 this year, on Santa Barbara Street from Ortega to Sola streets. The parade kicks off a three-day festival at Alameda Park June 21-23.
The Community Arts Workshop is hosting a Summer Solstice Celebration 50th Birthday Bash on Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 631 Garden St.
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum Summer Solstice Celebration exhibit runs through June 27.
The museum at 136 East De la Guerra St. is open Wednesdays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.