As people across the country gathered Thursday for fireworks and hotdogs, Rancho La Patera and Stow House in Goleta offered a more traditional Fourth of July celebration.
The Goleta Valley Historical Society held its 50th annual Old Fashioned 4th of July on Thursday with food, music, and tractor rides.
“We love it. We love the Stow House. We love the train station. It’s a big favorite of ours,” said Ariel Salem, who attended the event with his wife and kids.
The event featured a variety of attractions, some of which included exhibits that focused on traditional tools or history. Most of them were organized by local clubs.
One of the exhibits was run by the Central Coast Vintage Machinery Association. The group, whose members have been attending the event since the 1990s, showcased a variety of classic machines.
One of the machines included the “2 stroke – Hit n’ Miss,” an early version of a washing machine that was built by Maytag in 1933.
“I like the mechanical side of it,” said Craig Buzzell, a member of the association. “It’s fun to display, and it’s educational.”
Another area featured an assortment of Model A cars, built by Ford Motor Co. The Model A was one of the most popular cars of its era and was sold between 1927 and 1931.
The cars are owned by various members of the Model A Ford Club of Santa Barbara, which finds and fixes classic Model A cars.
Besides the exhibits, the event featured vendors who sold goods ranging from jewelry, clothes and tie-dye shirts to specialty dog treats.
“It’s kind of unbelievable. A few years ago, we celebrated 150 years since the Stow House was built,” said Karen Poulter, the events coordinator for the Goleta Valley Historical Society.
The Stow House celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022. The house was built in 1872 by Sherman P. Stow, who is known in Goleta for his contributions to farming in the valley.
Poulter said her favorite thing about the event is that it brings people from all over Goleta.
“For me, it is the community [and] meeting new people,” she said. “It really brings people together.”
Santa Barbara Celebrates at the Beach
The marine layer affects the July 4 fireworks along the Santa Barbara Waterfront on Thursday night. Credit: Fritz Olenberger photo 
Fog shrouds the Fourth of July fireworks show Thursday at the Santa Barbara Waterfront. Credit: Cody Westheimer photo 
Fireworks light up the sky, as seen from Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara. Credit: Lisa Werner photo 
Visitors to West Beach in Santa Barbara for the Fourth of July on Thursday line up at the food booths. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo 
Local band East Valley Road performs during the Fourth of July celebration Thursday at West Beach in Santa Barbara. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo
In Santa Barbara, residents flocked to West Beach to enjoy music, food and the waves.
The annual event capped off with a fireworks show over the pier, although a marine layer affected the viewing.
Anticipating a large crowd, some local residents tried to beat the crowd by arriving early and staking out a spot.
Richard Regalado showed up at the beach at 7 a.m. with his friends to claim a spot closer to the pier. Regalado, who lives in Santa Barbara, has never missed the annual show.
“It’s usually pretty good. There are some years that are hit or miss, but for the most part it’s pretty good,” Regalado said.
The event, which is sponsored by the Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, also featured live bands throughout the day. Local bands included East Valley Road, which performed covers and original music.
Residents were also treated to a variety of food from stands and food trucks, including street tacos, tri-tip sandwiches, and more.
Additionally, organizers set up four bounce houses for kids and families.
Montecito Goes Fourth with Parade
The Miller family was part of the large Montecito Union School contingent marching and riding in Thursday’s Montecito Village Fourth Parade. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Board members of the Montecito Association had a banner day. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
A classic parade entry. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
After parking their vintage fire truck, Andrea and Dana Newquist headed into the post-parade festivities decked out in red, white and blue. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Mission Linen cleaned up on the American flags. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Cold Spring School Principal Amy Alzina proudly displayed her patriotic enthusiasm. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Soldiering on. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
The Montecito Rotary Club carried the banner, and flags. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Dogs were plentiful but a few, like this Alaskan malamute, drew their own parade of admirers. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Montecito Union School students celebrate their Tug-of-War contest victory over Cold Spring School after the Montecito Village Fourth parade. Credit: Jillian Wittman photo
Several hundred spectators gathered in Montecito on Thursday for the annual Montecito Village Fourth, the highlight of which is “the world’s shortest Fourth of July parade.”
The day began with a packed pancake breakfast hosted by the Montecito Fire Protection District at its San Ysidro Road headquarters followed a few hours later by the parade, hosted by the Montecito Association.
The parade started at Upper Manning Park and ended at Lower Manning Park — just a couple of hundred yards away.
Among the dozens of American flag-sporting parade entries were historical cars and trucks decked out in red, white and blue; Manning Park-based Scout Troop 33; Montecito Rotary Club; large contingents of families and staff from Cold Spring and Montecito Union schools; emergency vehicles from Montecito Fire, Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue and the Montecito Emergency Response & Recovery Action Group (MERRAG); and First District Supervisor Das Williams, Supervisor-elect Roy Lee and Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse.
Serving as this year’s grand marshal was 98-year-old David Boyd, a tireless community volunteer and 2019 Santa Barbara Foundation Man of the Year. Often accompanied by his wife, Alice, the retired U.S. Navy officer has served numerous nonprofit organizations over the decades, but is perhaps best known for his work with MERRAG, All Saints By-the-Sea Episcopal Church and Transition House.
After the parade, the crowd gathered at Lower Manning Park for a day of neighborly fun, featuring food booths, a pie-eating contest, sack races and live music.
