2012 Solstice Workshop Open House Starts at 5 p.m. Friday May 11
The workshop is in a new space while the regular location is used as a construction staging area for the City Water Processing Plant, said nonprofit Solstice Executive Director Claudia Bratton. Local businessman Alan Macy has donated the workshop space to Solstice this year.
Those who attend the workshop can meet the artists, costumers, mask makers, technical staff and see what is planned for the Solstice Parade. This year’s posters and T-shirts will be available for purchase at the workshop open house. Light refreshments will be offered.
“Imaginations are being expanded by our theme of ‘Fantasy’ this year, and there will be some fantastic ensembles and floats,” Bratton said. Starting May 11, the workshop will be open to the public with regular hours 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
On May 19, a Solstice Rummage Sale is planned for 9 a.m. to noon, prior to the workshop that day, to raise funds for the organization. “It will be a fun day of bargains: costumes, tools and props,” Bratton said. For more information, call the Solstice office at (805) 965-3396.
If anyone has some of the supplies needed at the workshop, they can bring them to the sale to barter for Solstice and use them or their dollars to buy items in the rummage sale. A list of needed art supplies and materials is on the Solstice website.
The Solstice Festival in Alameda Park extends over three days, June 22, 23 and 24. It opens at 4 p.m. June 22 at the park, with theatrical and musical entertainment until 9 p.m. The festival resumes at noon June 23 with entertainment until 8 p.m. The Solstice Children’s Festival is open June 23 and 24 from noon to 6 p.m. with a variety of family and children’s activities, free art projects, booths and musical entertainment.
The Solstice Parade begins at noon June 23 at State and Cota streets and arrives at the festival in Alameda Park. On June 24, live entertainment will be featured.On June 24, live entertainment will be performed from 1:30 to 6 p.m. on the main stage. Soft jazz music will be featured. Entertainment will be performed on the children’s stage from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Arts and crafts booths, food booths, and beer and wine garden will be open for all three days of the festival.
The Solstice celebration has grown into Santa Barbara’s largest arts event. It draws more than 100,000 spectators from around the world, with more than 1,200 parade participants. As a 501(c)3, nonprofit community organization, the Solstice Celebration has become a year-round organization, bringing the community together through the arts.
