Santa Barbara's virtual Summer Solstice Parade on Saturday afternoon offered entertaining dance moves from several smiling community members and homemade mini-floats.

The annual Summer Solstice Celebration went virtual this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn’t stop the lively and creative spirit of participants.

For the first time, the annual parade and a slate of other popular events were held online because of the coronavirus and public health concerns.

The weekend festivities recognize the longest day of the year and the beginning of the summer season, which started Saturday.

The celebration made use of prerecorded dance ensembles, revelers moving and grooving at home or in their living room during the coronavirus shutdown, families and their pets, and other show-stopping routines.

Also in the video were people roller-skating around Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, participants hula-hooping in vibrant outfits, children having a backyard dance party, dancers in glow-in-the-dark body paint, and health care workers wearing face coverings and waving to viewers. 

“We weren’t able to bring the entire parade to the street, but we can bring it to your living room,” Robin Elander, Summer Solstice executive director, said at the start of the video. “All of the parade virtual submissions this year — oh my gosh — the creativity is incredible.”

While Elander spoke to the audience watching remotely, the roaring sound of drums could be heard. 

Event organizers continued the traditional way of starting the parade at noon.

Saturday’s parade theme was “Beautiful Earth,” and more than 30 parade entries were submitted by a brief video or photograph.

The hourlong extravaganza featured paradegoers bouncing on an outdoor trampoline, performers along the car-free State Street in downtown, beachgoers moving their feet to the beat, plus the U.S. Army Voices, Connecting Thru Sign Language, La Boheme Dance, Explore Ecology and other local organizations.

In the chat section on the Summer Solstice YouTube page, viewers watching the free streaming commented live, and many wrote uplifting messages. 

“We had fun,” a member of La Boheme Dance wrote. “Our whole community involved!”

“Couldn't miss this. Been involved for YEARS,” a person wrote. 

Another individual wrote, “Omg, this is literally the cutest!!” Super fun!”

Summer Solstice festivities kicked off Friday and continue through Sunday with virtual events, including interviews with several special guests and an online exhibit of pictures from Summer Solstice's 46-year history.

Click here for a full Summer Solstice event schedule.

The Summer Solstice parade began in 1974, and the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration is a nonprofit organization.

— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

Related Stories