Thousands of people from all over packed Santa Barbara’s beaches Tuesday to celebrate Independence Day with live music, food, fireworks and more.

Montecito kicked off the holiday bright and early with the Montecito Firefighters Fourth of July pancake breakfast at Fire Station 91, where families enjoyed pancakes to celebrate.

Following the breakfast, the Montecito Association held its annual Village Fourth Road Show with cars, trolleys and public safety vehicles adorned with Fourth of July decorations to make their way through San Ysidro Road, North Jameson and Coast Village roads, Hot Springs Road and East Valley Road.

About 35 vehicles drove along the route representing individuals and organizations such as Adam’s Angels,  Cold Spring School, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Forest Service and many others. 

Local dignitaries also participated in the parade, including Assemblyman Gregg Hart, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Das Williams and Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch.

The City of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Parks & Recreation departments also hosted festivities at Stearns Wharf and West Beach with a bandstand on the beach for live entertainment — including local bands and dance groups — as well as free face painting and more live music on the wharf.

Along the Cabrillo Boulevard sidewalk, booths sold hot dogs, tri-tip sandwiches, kettle corn, funnel cakes and other yummy bites.

People set out blankets and tents on West Beach to enjoy the music and to save their spots for the most anticipated part of the day — the fireworks display presented by Garden State Fireworks.

Other events throughout the South Coast included the free concert the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation put on at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens on Tuesday evening and Goleta’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July event at Stow House.

Carpinteria held its Independence Parade on Saturday and the Carpinteria Lions Club hosted a Fourth of July community barbecue Tuesday.

At the courthouse concert, attendees enjoyed performances by the Vandenberg Space Force Base Honor Guard, the Prime Time Band, and Polynesian dancers from Hula Anyone.

The concert is a tradition for many residents, including Vale Laraia, who said she has been attending the concert with her husband for more than 10 years. 

“I think it’s vital to the sense of community,” Laraia told Noozhawk. “For us to be out with people who we don’t know. Very often, we meet people and talk to people, and we have a common interest. And here it’s celebrated.”

For others, they keep coming to the concert each year to support the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation.

“They’re one of the few organizations in town that support our veterans the way they deserve,” Nicole Clark told Noozhawk.

Clark said events like that help bring a sense of pride and connection within the community. 

“I think situations like this that foster a sense of community make you realize you are a part of it, you should take care of it, and treat our city respectfully,” Clark said.

The concert opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Mt. Carmel Church’s music director, Gary Smith, and an invocation by retired Lt. Col. Jack Armstrong.

The Vandenberg Space Force Base Honor Guard performed songs including “Strike Up the Band,” “Shut up and Dance,” “What a Wonderful World” and many more.

Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway contributed to this story.