Tag archives: Fourth of July

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

Independence Day
By Lynda Millner   |   August 19, 2021

The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) knows how to produce an unforgettable Fourth of July. This year it was held at the Santa Barbara Cemetery in Montecito, with dozens of American flags lining the roadway leading to the hilltop. Co-founded with wife, Hazel, Lt. John Blankenship (U.S. Navy, ret.) welcomed the crowd and the Vandenberg […]

Get Your Priorities Straight
By Montecito Journal   |   July 22, 2021

To the Mayor, City Council Members: 4th of July my family and I took a walk down upper State Street in Santa Barbara. As we walked, we had concerns about the planning by the city to provide a safe sidewalk. We also wondered if there would ever be another parade down State Street. The heritage of […]

Riding in Style A Pictorial Journey of the 2021 Village 4th Road Show
By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 15, 2021

The roaring sound of 1955 Vintage Beech T-34 Mentors Air Force and Navy planes in a V-formation broke through the cloud cover as they flew over the Montecito Association’s Village 4th Road Show starting gate on San Ysidro Road on Sunday, with 18-year Montecito resident, veteran, and Montecito Association member Michael “Viper” Maloco leading the […]

Plan to Shoot Off Fireworks? Enjoy Some Sparklers? Just Don’t Do It.
By Christina Atchison   |   July 8, 2021

It’s America’s birthday party and what could be more celebratory than shooting off fireworks?! But no one will be celebrating if those fireworks spark a fire. Fourth of July in Montecito is a celebration of our great nation’s independence and, our community’s independence from all fireworks.  The manufacturing, storage, sale, handling, and use of all […]

America Needs a Couples Counselor
By Gwyn Lurie   |   July 1, 2021

I was talking with a friend about the institution of marriage — why some marriages last and others don’t. We agreed that for a marriage to last, both partners must, first and foremost, be committed to the institution itself; because on any given day they may not agree on the same ideas or course of […]

Montecito’s Village Fourth Roadshow
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   July 1, 2021

While being mindful of both the cautious emergence out of the pandemic as well as the community’s desire to gather and celebrate, the Montecito Association has decided to once again take their popular patriotic show on the road, instead of gathering for the traditional parade on San Ysidro Road. This Sunday, July 4, 30 vintage […]

Fourth of July Parade is Happening!
By Sharon Byrne   |   June 17, 2021

You asked, and we’re delivering. A crew of dedicated Montecitans is busily pulling together a Fourth of July Parade. We’re sensitive to our emerging-from-the-pandemic status, and to the President’s pledge that all Americans will be able to celebrate with your families.  We plan to keep everyone safe, welcoming you to be with your family at […]

Montecito’s Village 4th Parade
By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 9, 2020

Our town’s Annual Village 4th Parade was a great success! The Montecito Association went to great efforts to have a car parade whose route included all the Montecito area schools and where most of the students lived, as well as Channel Drive. The parade was well attended all along the parade route, lined with happy […]

Our Forefathers, Forecasters? Forthright?
By Gwyn Lurie   |   July 9, 2020

I wrote this letter July 4th-5th, 2020. Growing up, Independence Day was one of my favorite holidays. It was a celebration of the strong shoulders upon which this great nation was built; a celebration of the principles our Founding Fathers fought for and a celebration of the Founding Fathers themselves. The food was great and […]