Well, I promised you all pictures from the parade, and here they are! I don’t usually photograph humans, so this was an interesting exercise for me. It probably helps that everyone had their freak flags flying all day. This is one of the last truly Santa Barbara things left in Santa Barbara, this parade. Before Oprah and Ellen moved in, before the Earthling Bookshop closed, there was the Summer Solstice Parade. Now, even though all the shops on State Street are ridiculously expensive chain store, we still have our little piece of weird and fun to celebrate each summer.
Beginning near the end of the parade route, before the parade made it this far, you can see that the party has already begun:
It’s so nice to see everyone laughing and smiling, dancing in the street. The only problem with the parade is that it starts at noon – NOT the best time of day for photography, but I think I did alright considering. What do you think?
Until next year…
If you happen to be in Santa Barbara near the summer solstice, DO come to the parade and the festival in Alameda Park afterward. It’s always a good time, just remember your sunscreen and water!