Now that school is out and the weather is getting warmer, Santa Barbara County communities are preparing for their first festivities of the summer.
For Fourth of July, parades, concerts, fireworks shows and other events are planned all over, inviting residents of all ages to come out and celebrate.
Santa Barbara
West Beach Waterfront Fireworks Show
A full day of live music will be held at the city’s West Beach Bandstand. Artists such as Evan Blix, The Other Woman, and East Valley Road will be featured on Thursday starting at noon.
The 20-minute fireworks show launching from West Beach starts at approximately 9 p.m. Both events are free to the public.
Cabrillo Boulevard Sidewalk at West Beach
Before the show, enjoy festive food and local vendors at a street fair along Cabrillo Boulevard from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This year’s vendors include Timbers Roadhouse, Tinkers Hot Dogs, Lidos Philly Cheese Steaks, G Brothers Kettle Corn, Elubia’s Kitchen, and Chiltepin Mexican Grill.
Prime Time Band Concert at the Courthouse
A free outdoor concert will be hosted by Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation at 5 p.m., at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens, at 1100 Anacapa St.
It will feature the Prime Time Band, with 75-plus amateur musicians who will pay tributes to John Williams, the Granada Theatre and Old Spanish Days. It will also play popular hits and patriotic favorites, organizers said.
Goleta
Old Fashioned 4th of July at Stow House
While there is no organized fireworks display in Goleta this year, the community can come out and enjoy the 50th Annual Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event held at The Stow House, at 304 N. Los Carneros Road, will host family-friendly activities including tractor rides and face painting, live music by The Cliffhangers and The Down Yonder Collective, and local vendors.
Tickets are on sale now, $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Montecito
Celebration Parade
Residents of Montecito are encouraged to bring their families and enthusiasm to the city’s “Biggest Little Parade!” Montecito’s traditional Fourth of July parade kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at Upper Manning Park and will include walkers, riders, animals, and vehicles. The parade will continue down to Lower Manning Park, followed by an afternoon picnic filled with live music, pie-eating contests, and games.
Pancake Breakfast
The Montecito Firefighters Association’s Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast is planned for 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday at Fire Station 91, at 595 San Ysidro Road. Tickets at the door are available for $15, and kids 10 and under eat free, organizers said.
Santa Maria
Tech-tacular Drone Show & Festival
For this year’s celebration, the city of Santa Maria is hosting a drone show as an alternative to fireworks. The event will take place at the Elks baseball field behind the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, at 600 S. McClelland St. Families can enjoy free recreational swimming, sports, activities, food trucks, and a car show.
An outdoor concert from local 80s tribute band The Molly Ringwald Project will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The drone show will begin at 9pm, and residents are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets.
Solvang & Santa Ynez
Festival & Fireworks at the Mission
The Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Club is hosting its annual Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks Show at Old Mission Santa Inès in Solvang.
This year will include merchants, food vendors, live entertainment, and activities.
The gates open at 12 p.m., and the Fireworks Show will begin at 9 pm.
Admission is $15, and children 12 and under are free.
Solvang Parade & BBQ
Solvang Rotary’s Fourth of July Parade will be the start of the city’s celebrations. The parade begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Solvang, First Street and Copenhagen Drive, and will feature classic cars, horse troupes, dance groups, high school marching bands and creatively designed floats. Attendees are invited to a BBQ following the parade in Solvang Park.
Lompoc
Family Fun Day at Ryon Park
A bike parade will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Lompoc Veterans’ Memorial Building, and will continue down South H. Street to end at Ryon Memorial Park.
Admission is free for the Fun Day event, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be live music, games, inflatables, face painting and food trucks. Fireworks, alcohol, and smoking are not permitted.
No organized fireworks show will be held in Lompoc this year.
Carpinteria This Weekend
The Rods & Roses car show and Independence Day Parade are planned for Saturday, July 6 in the city’s downtown Linden Avenue corridor. The car show is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the parade starts at 3:30 p.m.