Tag archives: Fourth of July

Celebrate the Fourth the Montecito Way and More News Bytes
By Montecito Journal   |   July 7, 2026

Montecito’s favorite Independence Day tradition returns on Saturday, July 4, as the 30th Annual Village 4th brings neighbors together for the beloved World’s Shortest Parade, followed by a community celebration in Lower Manning Park. The day gets an early start with the Montecito Firefighters’ Association Pancake Breakfast from 7–11 am at Fire Station 91 (595 […]

Remembering Montecito and Santa Barbara
By James Buckley   |   July 7, 2026

My family (wife Helen, son Tim, daughter Lily) and I moved to Montecito on July 4, 1986, so this short recollection of Montecito and Santa Barbara seems appropriate, particularly during this time of year. Our house on Middle Road was already 40 years old. The good news for us was that we had found the […]

Know Before You Go: Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast
By Christina Atchison   |   June 30, 2026

One of Montecito’s most time-honored traditions is back for America’s 250th birthday. The Montecito Firefighters’ Association’s annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast will kick off at 7 am on Saturday, July 4, at Fire Station 91 – 595 San Ysidro Road. Montecito Fire Engineer/Inspector Billy Wrenn is the lead organizer of the event. “We’re looking […]

You’re Invited to Celebrate 30 Years of Village 4th Tradition
By Houghton Hyatt   |   June 30, 2026

The Montecito Association and Montecito Community Foundation invite residents and visitors to join the community for the 30th Annual Montecito Village 4th of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4, a hometown tradition that has brought neighbors together since 1996. Known as the home of the “World’s Shortest Parade,” the Village 4th is a uniquely Montecito […]

A Patriotic Bellosguardo Bash
By Richard Mineards   |   July 15, 2025

Bellosguardo – magnificent estate of the late reclusive tycoon Huguette Clark – and the Santa Barbara Symphony staged a landmark cultural event on July 4; the first ever outdoor Independence Day concert at the East Beach aerie. The sold-out event attracted more than 700 guests to the 90-minute performance on the estate’s seaside lawn overlooking […]

Village 4th Takes off with Longer Parade Route
By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 15, 2025

The Montecito Association’s Village 4th went full on with a longer parade route that officially started at the intersection of San Ysidro Road (SYR) and East Valley Road, then proceeded down SYR to Lower Manning Park. The parade route was packed with kids of all ages and dogs donning their best July 4th-inspired fashion statements. […]

Alum Directs Independence Day Concert
By Scott Craig   |   July 8, 2025

Westmont alumnus Paul Mori (‘77) directs the Prime Time Band’s free Fourth of July Concert, presented by the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation, on Friday, July 4th, at 5 pm at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or low-back chair. The performance will feature an afternoon of lively music […]

Independence Day at the Ranch and Other News Bytes
By Montecito Journal   |   July 8, 2025

This July 4th, San Ysidro Ranch invites guests to its “Fourth of July in the Gardens” celebration – a festive afternoon of elevated Americana. From 12 to 4 pm, enjoy live music, lawn games, and patriotic décor in the sun-drenched gardens. Indulge in a gourmet Santa Maria-style barbecue featuring Snake River Farms Wagyu tri-tip, Jidori […]

Drone of the Brave and More 4th Fun
By Steven Libowitz   |   July 8, 2025

To paraphrase an early Bruce Springsteen song, fireworks will be hailing over Little Eden on July 4 down at our own slice of heaven known as the Santa Barbara waterfront. Not so much out in Goleta, where the family-friendly Independence Day festival that ended each year with big aerial pyrotechnics that was quite popular, never […]

Pre-4th Party
By Richard Mineards   |   July 16, 2024

Animal activist and winemaker Gretchen Lieff hosted a pre-Independence Day bash at her charming Arcady estate for 60 guests, including her ex-husband, international legal eagle Robert Lieff, who is also an award-winning vintner with his Rutherford cabernet. Among those hovering around the barbecue to snaffle the burgers and hotdogs while quaffing Gretchen’s La Lieff vino […]

Join Us for the VILLAGE 4TH CELEBRATION!
By Houghton Hyatt   |   July 2, 2024

We are excited to announce the return of our traditional 4th of July celebration, co-sponsored by the Montecito Community Foundation and Rosewood Miramar, featuring the “Biggest Little Parade” down San Ysidro Road and ending in a grand picnic in the park!  Your 4th of July Committee – spearheaded by board member, Mindy Denson – has […]

Village 4th
By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 11, 2023

See the cars, colors, and smiling faces in this year’s July 4th celebration cruising the streets of Montecito! And make sure to scroll down and watch the video below!

Village 4th: Here Comes the Parade
By Sharon Byrne   |   July 4, 2023

It’s that time of year, when the sun finally breaks through the endless May-vember and the June Gloom. When American flags start unfurling, and people plan on getting together with family and friends to celebrate. Yes, it’s July 4th!  Because of the State Street promenade and other headaches, Santa Barbara will not be having a […]

Thank You for the Most Amazing Village 4th Ever!
By Sharon Byrne   |   July 12, 2022

If you came out and watched the Village 4th motorcade roll by, you know it was a smash hit. From the flyover of vintage planes that kicked it off, to a slew of historic autos in the Loudest, Proudest motorcade, all festooned with July 4th decorations, our terrific Grand Marshall Diane Pannkuk, the Sheriff’s Paddy […]

Looking for Reliable 911 Service
By Montecito Journal   |   July 12, 2022

We live on Channel Drive in Montecito and along with the neighbors we have sent several emails regarding the lack of Sheriff’s presence since COVID and the increase of illegal activities. Last night was 4th of July and sadly Channel Drive had far fewer families enjoying the fireworks and many more people drinking, flying drones […]

A Harbor Barbecue Bash
By Richard Mineards   |   July 12, 2022

Santa Barbara harbor was festooned in red, white, and blue as thousands turned out to watch the 20-minute Independence Day fireworks on West Beach. Former Santa Barbara Yacht Club commodore and uber philanthropist Roger Chrisman and his wife, Sarah, took the post-pandemic opportunity to host an equally colorful nautical bash on their 78-foot cruiser PolarIIs. […]

We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident A Call to “Duty”
By Rinaldo Brutoco   |   July 12, 2022

With the 4th of July Holiday just past, it is more important than ever to reflect on the Nation’s founding “energy,” what the Germans would call our Zeitgeist. Famously observed, America is not a nation that arose due to geographic isolation of a singular genealogical population, as the British Isles or Japan. Nor did it […]

Montecito’s 27th Village Fourth Parade
By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 12, 2022

It was the perfect sunny day for the Montecito Village Fourth car parade to celebrate Independence Day. The parade drew a huge turnout with the crowds along the route cheering and waving flags, most dressed in red, white, and blue. It is our town’s great privilege to start the parade with the annual flyover of […]

Grill-Inspired: A Major BBQ Event – Plus BBQ Wines – for Summer
By Gabe Saglie   |   July 5, 2022

The Fourth of July this week has many of us thinking about one thing: the grill. Okay, two things: the grill and wine. For those who are lovers of all things fired and grilled, another major event is on the calendar this month. It’s a barbecue-inspired affair for wine lovers that is years in the […]

Presented by Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation with Santa Barbara’s beloved Prime Time Band
By Montecito Journal   |   July 2, 2022

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) will be joined by Santa Barbara’s beloved Prime Time Band on 4th of July for a free festive concert at 5:00 PM at Santa Barbara County Courthouse Gardens. Enjoy pops tunes, family favorites and patriotic classics, plus a special guest performance by the Prime Time Band. Attendees are encouraged to […]