As the holidays approach, Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) welcomes travelers and the community to join in the festivities with the Eighth Annual Songs of the Season, Monday, Dec. 16 through Friday, Dec. 20, just inside the main entrance at the airline terminal.
This year’s event will feature Harding Elementary School singers; San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers; Santa Barbara High School Madrigal Singers; Dos Pueblos High School Choir; and The Young Singers Club and opera soloist Peter Kravchuk.
“We are honored that such talented local school choirs and ensembles will be lighting up our airport with the sounds of the holidays and entertaining passengers and visitors each day,” said SBA director, Henry Thompson. “It is a privilege to host our gifted students and we look forward to continuing to support these groups every year.”
Songs of the Season is sponsored by SBA. Besides providing the opportunity to perform in front of a public audience, the event exposes the performers to the hustle and bustle of a commercial airport at the holidays – itself a learning experience.
Songs of the Season schedule:
Dec. 16, 9:30 a.m. Harding Elementary School; 12:30 p.m. San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers.
Dec. 17, 4 p.m. Santa Barbara High School Madrigal Singers.
Dec. 18, 4 p.m. Dos Pueblos High School Choir.
Dec. 20, 4 p.m. The Young Singers.
SBA anticipates the busiest days of the holiday season will be the weekend just prior to Christmas, Dec. 21-22. The airport urges travelers to give themselves extra time at the holidays. The airlines at SBA all will adhere to a 40-minutes-prior-to-departure check-in rule, particularly when checking bags.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, airport terminal parking was full for three straight days. Travelers can avoid an unpleasant parking surprise by allowing enough time to take the shuttle to the terminal from Airport Economy Parking. Daily parking fee is $10 at Airport Economy Parking on Fredrick Lopez Road, a right turn off Hollister Avenue.
Long-term terminal parking is available for $13 per day, but this parking option is likely to go fast. A variable message sign will be posted at the westbound Fairview Avenue/Highway 101 exit to let travelers know whether to proceed directly to the economy parking area.
Shuttle service is available to the airline terminal every 15 minutes.
SBA offers daily direct flights to 11 destinations: Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle.
For more information visit FlySBA.com.
— Deanna Zachrisson for city of Santa Barbara.