52nd Annual Solstice Parade Makes a Splash on Santa Barbara Street

Smiles, sparkles, and sunburns lined Santa Barbara Street on Saturday as hundreds gathered to watch the 52nd annual Solstice Parade. 

This year’s theme, Wave, was well adhered to, with a couple notable diversions like a pizza oven accompanied by partying pizza slices, and a cart carrying four adult’s faces peeking though a draped cloth and dancing to the beat with marionette-like baby onesies. 

Many interpreted the theme to mean ocean waves, but a few folks took another spin; hair dressers with prop hairdryers ready to create a wavy do. Donning blues, greens, and shimmering costumes parade participants swirled up the street like a glittering current of joy. 

The parade started at Ortega Street, with performers dancing, skating, or unicycling their way up seven blocks to Alameda Park where food and merchandise vendors, event stages, and most importantly, shade awaited them. Musicians and DJs played well into the evening celebrating the start of summer. 

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