Isla Vista on Saturday traded in a crowded street party near the bluffs for a lively festival in the business corridor.
Thousands of residents attended Isla Vista Community Services District’s (IVCSD) Soltopia, a permitted alternative to the annual unsanctioned street party known as Deltopia.
Deltopia is typically held on the first weekend of UC Santa Barbara’s spring quarter in Isla Vista, an area located next to the campus where many students live.
It is largely celebrated in the street and in homes on Del Playa Drive. It draws thousands each year and historically has led to unsafe and unsanitary conditions. A riot broke out in 2014.
Isla Vista’s governing body planned the Soltopia festival in less than three months after the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a 72-hour noise ordinance for April 3-5.
The ordinance banned any music that could be heard from the street, but it did allow for a permitted festival.
Soltopia was spread across Isla Vista’s business corridor — known as The Loop — between Pardall and Trigo roads and along Embarcadero Del Norte and Embarcadero Del Mar.
The festival included 31 live DJs and bands across six stages, free food for Isla Vista residents, art installations, a beer garden and a thrift market.
Soltopia had numerous restrooms, water stations and private security on site. Narcan, fentanyl test strips and drink test kits were also distributed to attendees.
Olivia Siena visited Isla Vista on Saturday from the Bay Area. She attended Deltopia last year and said she preferred Soltopia’s festival setting.
“I really like it. Last year there wasn’t really much to do besides just walk around,” Siena said. “I prefer having a festival.”
Siena said she enjoyed listening to music, shopping and taking photos with friends.
UCSB student Rachel Orf said she enjoyed Soltopia, but she found it unfair that previous UC Santa Barbara students got to enjoy Deltopia, while current students cannot.
“All the people that went (to UC Santa Barbara) are now the ones to shut it down. I think it’s kind of hypocritical,” Orf said.
Orf wasn’t the only one. Many students told Noozhawk that they were upset with the end of a Deltopia tradition.
Kattia Saucedo, a third-year UCSB student, said Saturday morning that she was planning to attend Soltopia and see the band Big Hungry, but she felt that the noise ordinance was unnecessary.
She also said she doesn’t understand why a heavy police presence was in place.
“It just kind of seems like they don’t want us to have anything this weekend,” she said. “They just want us to stay home and do nothing. And I think it’s kind of ridiculous.”
One person had been arrested by noon on Saturday, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
A spokesperson said this year’s festivities had a “noticeably different start compared to past years.”
Santa Barbara County Fire Department Battalion Chief Craig VanderZwaag told Noozhawk Saturday morning that the department had only responded to one call so far. A fire alarm had been ripped off and thrown into the ocean.
“We haven’t had calls for service like the past years,” VanderZwaag added.
Del Playa Drive looked very different this year.
Instead of a packed street and music blaring from every balcony, the street was relatively empty beyond the large groups of law enforcement on street corners.
It looked like any other Saturday morning on Del Playa Drive, with small groups of people walking around, hanging out in front yards or riding bikes.
What was unlike any other Saturday morning was the almost eerie lack of music. People playing games in the front yard or sun tanning went without their usual background noise to avoid a fine.
Instead, the crowds were at Soltopia.
While Soltopia attendance started small, by 1 p.m. the Chillavista stage in Anisq’Oyo’ Park was packed.
There were also dozens of people at the Road House stage on Madrid Road near Woodstock’s pizza and the Tides and Tunes stage at Isla Vista Food Co-op.
In the days leading up to the festival, IVCSD gave out 8,000 wristbands to Isla Vista residents and UCSB students.
That wristband gave them access to free food at Roger’s Tacos, Yetz’s Bagels, Bagel Cafe, Super Cuca’s, Elubia’s Kitchen, Maria’s Tacos, Isla Vista Food Co-op and Zocalo. It also gave them access to entertainment zones and games.
Amanda Neuman said she waited about 10 minutes for a free bagel, but her friend waited an hour for a free taco.
“All the lines have been really long,” Neuman said. “I think they didn’t anticipate how many people come to these events and stuff… If you’re offering the prospect of free food, the lines are going to be really stupid long.”
Despite the lines, Neuman said she was having fun and thought the festival was better for health and safety.
IVCSD staff and board members said Soltopia helped decrease Deltopia’s typical arrests, citations and medical transports.
IVCSD Board President Katherine Carmichael said Soltopia “reflects what’s possible when we invest in our community and lead with care,” while IVCSD member Spencer Brandt called Deltopia a “former street party.”
“What the community experienced was a direct reflection of their vision and the heart they poured into making this special for Isla Vista,” Myah Mashhadialireza, Soltopia organizer and IVCSD community programs and engagement director, said.
A community clean-up event is set for Sunday. The noise ordinance will remain in effect until Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
