Solstice Shines

Thousands turned out in Santa Barbara on Saturday, June 20, to enjoy the annual Summer Solstice parade, which flowed up State Street from noon until 2 p.m.

As usual, the parade proved colorful, creative, and captivating, though more than one observer noted it was smaller than in years’ past, perhaps a sign of the shrunken economy. Not that anyone was in the mood for a bummer, so the celebration continued for hours at Alameda Park, where no one could have guessed there was anything other than stereotypical Solstice celebrating to be had. Of course, the real fun was being had at one of the many private house parties that erupt due to the celebration, and continue on into the wee hours.

We aren’t sharing our photographs from those adventures, but here’s our best from the parade proper, which delighted with fanciful sea creatures and characters related to this year’s “Splash!” theme.