Originating as a birthday celebration, Santa Barbara, California's Summer Solstice Parade began in 1974. This parade was created by Michael Gonzalez, a Santa Barbara resident and a mime and artist.[1] The parade is the largest single-day event in Santa Barbara County,[2] attracting crowds of 100,000 people or more.[1][unreliable source?] Weeks prior to the day of the parade, a workshop is opened where participating artists and technicians work with the community to conceive ideas, build floats, make costumes, and put their performances together.
- ^ a b "Solstice Parade Website". Solsticeparade.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
- ^ "Santa Barbara Website". Santabarbara.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014.