The time just after the Solstice Parade is another highlight of this enchanted Santa Barbarian event. As the parade turns off of “Altered” State street toward Alameda Park, a large and lively crowd is following at the parade’s sedate pace. This pace, the long wait for the parade to pass, and all the excitement blends into something really unique in the park.
0731 Into the Park
Here we add all the attractions I mentioned yesterday, plus everything the grand park itself has to offer, and the magic of mingling creative people with those who appreciate creativity. Even with so many people, it has a relaxed and easy air that whispers Summer.
0732 Easy Summer
The parade participants relax after their miles long trek up the street, and relish the soft cool grass among their toes.
0741 Relax & Rehydrate
They also reconnect with family and support staff who helped make their contribution to the delight of our town possible.
0738 Family Reunion
They begin a gradual return to normalcy after wearing the personae of performers, and plug into their cellphones
0737 Normalcy
Their friends and family do the same, some using costume pieces for shade in the warm sunshine of Summer Solstice SB.
0740 Fancy Umbrella
Drummers who were in the parade continue their rhythmic trance in impromptu drum circles inviting free spirits to add their free form dance.
0745 Drum Circle
I wonder what this is like for the silent trees that have stood for decades spreading their welcome cooling shade and offering shelter from forgotten storms. On the streets around the park, paraders have parked their floats to the delight of kids who pet their favs and adults who study the designs.
0755 Parked Magic
Nearby are inflatable kids rides in the park that boasts a playground named Kid’s World. Everywhere paraders mingle with admirers, and almost no one could be blue.
0753 Mingling
Paraders pose for photographers, appreciating the attention they’ve worked so hard to attract.
0758 Content & Tired
Even after their exhausting uphill walk with pauses to stand and wait on the hot parade pavement, some are still showing performer enthusiasm in their posing.
0760 Happy Energy
Leaving the park, even with all the food booths it had, some stood in line for burgers on the quieter edge of the adjoining Keck Gardens park with its duck and turtle pond.
0763 Bus Line
Sure enough, inside Keck on that refreshing lawn, a fairy had crashed to rest up for the ongoing celebration that would last well into the wee hours, her purple wings wilted down against her back.
0592 Fairy Landing
Walking several blocks back to our car, the streets seemed like any day. Then a car or pedestrian would pass that prolonged the experience of where we’d just been.
0770 Solstice Lives
In front of a large house, the dog statue adorned for events by the owners is wearing Solstice regalia.
0772 Lawn Decor
As all know who follow my Edhat contributions, we went for a short flight after all this. Not enough fun for one day. 🙂
0814 Aftermath
Even hours after the parade arrived, the concerts and all the other attractions were still entertaining a large and joyful crowd. Life is so sweet!
John & Anne Wiley 
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