Author: KEYT

Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) People lined Harbor Blvd. to watch a parade go by on July 4th.

Children starred in the Channel Islands Harbor 4th of July Family Parade.

But they had to wait for dozens of decorated golf carts to drive down the parade route first.

Kids rode on bikes, and in wagons and some roller skated.

The parade ended at the Marine Emporium in Oxnard.

Many people stuck around for the fireworks show that is launched annually from the nearby Navy base.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) One of the most popular Fourth of July celebrations along the coast takes place at West Beach in Santa Barbara.

John Palmenteri helped emcee the entertainment on the stage surrounded by sand.

He introduced a number of bands and plenty of dancers.

The area also included jolly jumpers to keep younger kids entertained.

Chrissy Sarvela said she is camping in Carpinteria and has watched the fireworks and entertainment on West Beach for two decades.

“We love it, we love this town, we love everything about the beach, about this energy,” said Sarvela.

Erwin Hernandez beamed with pride.

“This holiday means family, community, everyone gets together, my daughter is actually dancing tonight Penelope, so go Penelope,” said Hernandez.

Penelope is this year’s Junior Spirit of Fiesta and had lot of fans on the sand cheering following her performance.

Spirit of Fiesta Jenna Ramierez also danced in a patriotic gown.

Both will be busy dancing during Old Spanish Days from August 5-9.

People set up blankets and brought picnics or bought food from food trucks lining Cabrillo Blvd on the holiday.

It sprinked a bit, but that didn’t deter them from waiting to see the fireworks after dark.

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News Channel 3-12

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Starting at 9:00pm, The City of Santa Barbara will host a grand firework display as part of the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration. Launching from West Beach, the 20-minute firework show will light up Santa Barbara’s waterfront.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Downtown Fridays in Santa Maria hosted a drone show to ring in the nation’s 250th 4th of July.

The “best seat in the house” literally was Downtown Fridays.

Around 8:45 Friday night, Sky Elements Drone Shows launched 100 drones into the air above the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center for a special Independence Day presentation which coincided with Downtown Fridays.

“We have the Santa Maria High School cheer squad, the Orcutt High School Jazz Band is coming out, the mayor’s going to come up on stage, do a proclamation, and then we’re going to have a drone show,” says Ed Carcarey, Downtown Fridays event coordinator.

The Sky Elements crew began unloading and setting up in the afternoon on the Elks Baseball Field behind the Maldonado Center, making sure every drone was powered up, positioned and programmed.

“I feel like drone shows are definitely taking over and they definitely fit the category more with family friendly,” says Fernando Cortes, a pilot for Sky Elements Drone Shows.

The drones were piloted by a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona who says the show’s music accompaniment played on loudspeakers at Downtown Fridays.

“There’ll be a playlist track going on. And while each song is being played through the drones, they will get their formation into every song,” says Cortes.

To commemorate the nation’s 250th Independence Day, the pilot says one sequence was programmed to simulate 4th-of-July-style fireworks.

“Definitely got to see some firework little images instead of actual ones blowing up,” says Cortes. “You’ll see a little images of maybe the drones all colliding there, one light board on each drone to make a huge explosion of lights to kind of simulate the firework.”

The City Of Santa Maria’s Recreation And Parks Department provided the drone show, and Downtown Fridays remains free to the public.

“We have a much bigger shared demographic now where it’s more representing of our city,” says Carcarey. “So a lot more general market people are coming to the event where we hadn’t seen them before.”

Families crowded McClelland street for the environmentally friendly presentation ringing in our semiquincentennial Independence Day.

“Tomorrow will be all over the country doing shows for 4th of July,” says Cortes.

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Alissa Orozco

This year, our nation celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the Central Coast is going bigger and better than ever! Here’s everything happening on the Fourth of July on the Central Coast. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY – SOUTH

The City of Santa Barbara will be putting on their annual Fourth of July Celebration, hosted by the City’s Waterfront and Parks and Recreation Departments. It will be a day full of music, food, and celebrations along the waterfront.

Live music will put on at the West Beach Bandstand, hosted by KEYT’s owned John Palminteri. Families can enjoy food from local vendors and kid-friendly activities until it’s time for the big firework show at 9:00pm sharp. Your News Channel will livestream the firework show on KEYT.com. Click here for information.

The Montecito Village is partying like its 1776! Known as the “World’s Smallest Parade,” a Fourth of July parade will make its way down San Ysidro Road to kick off a full day of festive fun. Locals can bring the whole family out to Lower Manning Park where there will be live music, a beer and wine garden, and even a pie-eating contest! Click here for more information.

The City of Goleta is bringing back its Fourth of July Drone Light Show – where 250 drones will light up the sky in a unique patriotic celebration. The event is free to the public, and shuttle services will be made available from the Costco Parking Lot. Click here for more information.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY – NORTH

The City of Santa Maria will have lots going on in the next couple of days to celebrate the nation’s 250th. Kicking off Friday, July 3rd with the city’s usual Downtown Fridays, but with a patriotic twist. Starting at 5:30pm, locals can enjoy live music and entertainment, special performances, and a drone light show!

On July 4th, a free “Fun in the Sun” event will be hosted at the Elks Baseball Field by Santa Maria Recreation & Parks Department. Families can come out to enjoy the day, featuring a photo booth, beer garden, pie and watermelon eating contests and more! Click here for more information.

To top off the weekend, the Santa Barbara County Fair returns to the Santa Maria Fairpark! Opening weekend starts July 3rd- 5th, and returns the following weekend July 8th-12th. Click here to get your tickets.

The Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Club will be hosting a Fourth of July Festival and Firework show in the City of Solvang, considered to be one of the biggest and best firework show on the Central Coast! Hosted at Old Mission Santa Inès, the day will include plenty of activities for the kids – like bounce houses, face paint – and for the adults too! Click here for more information.

Fourth of July celebrations in the City of Lompoc will be very wholesome with their Family Fun Day in the Park. A patriotic bike parade will kick off the day, leading the community to Ryon Park where families can enjoy a picnic in the park surrounded by live music, games, and even a car show! Click here for more information.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

Those in the City of San Luis Obispo will have head out to the ball game to enjoy some fireworks this year. The San Luis Obispo Blues will take on the San Diego Bombers followed by a firework show at the stadium in Sinsheimer Park. Click here for more information.

The City of Pismo Beach’s annual firework show is another local-favorite for the Fourth of July holiday. Residents and visitors can walk along Pismo Pier where they’ll find plenty of vendors or just enjoy a day at the beach until the fireworks launch off Pismo Pier at 9:00pm. Click here for more information.

The beloved Olde Towne Nipomo 4th of July parade is back years after COVID, and its one you won’t want to miss. The parade will feature groups essential to the community of Nipomo, such as first responders, veterans, youth organizations, community businesses, and much more. Plus FREE HOT DOGS! Click here for more information.

The City of Arroyo Grande will kick off its Summer Concert Series on the Fourth of July, and this year will be bigger and better than ever for the nation’s 250th anniversary. Not one, but two bands will be performing on July 4th – The Village Band & The Mother Corn Shuckers. Locals can come to listen to some live music and enjoy from treats from food trucks.

VENTURA COUNTY

The City of Ventura will also be celebrating the 4th early – on Friday, July 3rd the Ventura Harbor Village will host 250 minutes of live music along the waterside! It’s the perfect way to unwind before the city launches fireworks in Downtown Ventura in partnership with the Rotary Club of Ventura. Click here for more information.

On July 4th, the 49th annual 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem-Pullem Parade will kick off a day of fun, as Downtown Ventura is set to host over 100 vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and a car show! Click here for more information.

The City of Oxnard will be celebrating the 4th all Saturday long and you’re invited! Starting off with a community parade, inviting families to decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers and make their way up Harbor Blvd. Capping off the night is “Fireworks by the Sea,” taking place at the Channel Islands Harbor at 9:00pm. Click here for more information.

The City of Camarillo is bringing back their free, annual fireworks show, hosted at the Camarillo Premium Outlet parking lots. Locals can park at one of the outlet’s parking lots and tune into the show LIVE to FM radio station 95.1 KBBY. Click here for more information.

There’s plenty to do this Fourth of July weekend in the City of Thousand Oaks. The Conejo Community Center will be hosting family-friendly events, and plus, free recreation swim at community pools at CLU & NPHS. A firework spectacular will launch from Firework Hill, and there are plenty of viewing locations to choose from. Click here for more information.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The reimagined Santa Barbara County Fair is all set to open its gates on Friday and begin its all new eight-day split schedule.

For more than 25 years, the fair has been held over a five-day period in mid-July, beginning on a Wednesday and finishing the following Sunday.

This year, the fair will begin on Friday, July 3rd and run three days through Sunday, July 5th, then will be closed to the public on Monday, July 6th and Tuesday, July 7th, and will reopen for five more days from Wednesday July 8th through Sunday, July 12th.

“We’re excited,” said Todd Ventura, Santa Maria Fairpark Interim CEO. “There’s a lot of excitement for this year for the fair with the new format over two weekends. It really adds an interesting dynamic.”

In addition to a its new longer schedule, Ventura pointed out the fair will also feature an array of format changes and other new concepts.

“In every turn at every corner something will be different,” said Ventura. “Nothing is in the same spot. There are buildings and things that you cannot move. Those will be in the same spots, but the programing inside them totally different in every building and in every area. Nothing will be in exactly the same place. The carnival is spread out over the entire 33 acres. Food booths are in different spots. Everything is absolutely different in every dimension.”

Another significant change will be a new parking lot and additional gate entrance for the public to use.

“We have a whole new parking lot that we have created that fairgoers will be able to park in,” said Ventura. “Now to make things easier to get here, we have a new gate that we opened up on the back side of the property off of Depot Street called Gate 6. It’s adjacent to our new parking lot so people can enter that way.”

To help ensure the safety of the fairgoers who park in the new Depot Street parking lot, the stretch of Depot Street that runs between West Stowell Road and West Morrison Avenue will be closed to traffic.

A major enhancement to the fair this year will be an expanded carnival that will once again be operated by longtime entertainment provider Helm and Sons Amusements.

“We have a larger footprint of rides and games than we ever have had before,” said Steven Wilkins, Helm and Sons Amusements Head Head of Entertainment Head. “With over 50 attractions bigger and better this year, brand new rides, there’s more than five brand new rides that have never been here before as well too, so we encourage everybody to come on out and check it out.” 

Wilkins also wanted the public to know there will be a number of special deals fairgoers can take advantage of that will help stretch out their budget.

“We have some of the best deals that the Santa Barbara County Fair has ever had,” said Wilkins. “Pre-sale is live right now. It’s going to end tonight at 11:59 p.m., so make sure to get yours before the night ends, but tomorrow on opening day, we open at 2 p.m. We are doing a $20 gate that gets everybody inside the gate and on the rides for free. On Saturday, $4 admission and buy one get one free wristbands, and then next Wednesday we are having $5 admission before 5 p.m., so there’s plenty of ways for everybody out there to save on not only just rides, but games and food as well too.”

While there are several changes in store for the Santa Barbara County Fair this year, Ventura also added its heart and soul event will remain in place, albeit with many new features as well.

“The core of what we’re doing is agriculture, said Ventura. “We’re going to have a very traditional fair, a great livestock show. We have one of the best livestock shows in the nation really, and we have a great livestock auction with all of our supporters, o some of those traditions will not change and they’ll still be here. I will say that the programing and the livestock area is completely different. The buildings have been in many cases remodeled and revamped. We’ve created new areas for the exhibitors to sort of flourish in. We have a new food court for them and their parents and the guests that want to come watch the shows. We have a new “Showman Square” and a new livestock office, so there’s a lot of change built around the traditions that the fair always has.”

The Santa Barbara County Fair will open at noon during the weekends and at 2 p.m. on weekdays and close each night at 10 p.m.

For more information about the Santa Barbara County Fair, click here to visit the official website.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The sales of ‘safe and sane’ fireworks in Santa Maria are directly helping local non-profits.

Inflation may force some folks to think about which booth to buy from.

There are 23 non-profit organizations running fireworks booths within the city limits of Santa Maria.

“It’s no lie, everything is going up,” says Vlad Cruz with Central Coast Surf Soccer Club. “So what used to cost less a couple years ago is more expensive now.”

Each non-profit has their own unique mission in the community, and a purchase at their booth makes a contribution toward their goals.

“This money goes towards the players,” says Cruz. “It goes in the form of uniforms, registrations, fields, which is one of the major things right now.”

For example, the Central Coast Surf Soccer Club sells TNT fireworks and facilitates soccer game play for all ages of communities from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.

“We’re giving away the biggest firework that we actually have,” says Cruz. “It’s called ‘The Big Bang,’ $799. We’re giving that away with every purchase of $100. So for example, you purchase $200, you get two tickets. Raffle is on July 4th at 2 p.m. through our Instagram account.

Only a few feet away in the same parking lot on broadway, the Chee-Hoo Foundation is partnered with Phantom fireworks, and they support athletics programs specifically for Pacific Islanders.

“It helps the future generation, and Polynesian generation or who else, students who want to go play up in the next level,” says Mark Taito with the Chee-Hoo Foundation.

Fireworks booth operators say choosing which booth to buy from is not necessarily a decision many people think very hard about, but they might be this year due to inflation.

“Shout out to every Samoan in Santa Maria,” says Taito. “Everyone back home in American Samoa. Come by some Chee-Hoo fireworks here and let’s enjoy the 4th of July.”

Two primary fireworks companies, Phantom and TNT, provide the products to the non-profits.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District is warning residents about the risks of respiratory issues from fireworks. 

Personal fireworks release particulate matter, including soot and ash.

Historically, the district has seen spikes in air pollution before and after the 4th of July.

The district is sponsoring Goleta’s second annual July 4th Drone Show to promote celebrations without pollution.

Santa Maria’s ‘Downtown Fridays’ will celebrate with a drone show of its own, on McClelland street by City Hall and the Library Friday night at 8:30.

“It’s a very exciting 4th of July with the 250th anniversary,” says Lyz Bantilan, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s Public Information Officer. “And you know, hope everyone has happy, healthy holiday with their family and friends. If you do have a sensitive group in your family, I would encourage you to check the air quality on APCD’s website. We have air quality ratings 24/7, and it would also be a good time to turn your air purifier on if you have one, because it can help keep the air in your home clean.”

The county fire department has also released information on the safety benefits associated with these community events.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Every day, meals are prepared inside the kitchen at Hedges House of Hope, where workers cook together and share a few laughs along the way.

For Jessica Sanders, the kitchen is more than a place to work. It is a place to start over.

“I’m at Good Samaritan working in the kitchen. I have a job here. I’m in the culinary arts program and I just like it. It gives me something to do during the day. I stay away from the outside and just stay positive and productive.”

Getting there was not easy.

“Yeah, it had been really tough before I got here. I was on the street because I really didn’t know much about Santa Barbara.”

Sanders is one of many rebuilding their lives through programs offered by Good Samaritan Shelter.

Juan Carbajal found a similar opportunity through Good Samwich.

“It was pretty tough with no job … no income.”

The challenges Sanders and Carbajal faced are familiar to Good Samaritan Shelter Founder and CEO Sylvia Barnard.

“It was difficult to be a single mom on welfare. I know I didn’t have anyone really guiding me through where I was gonna get to.”

Those struggles inspired Barnard to help others facing difficult circumstances.

“So I decided that I wanted to not only get an education, but I wanted to give back to others.”

Today, Good Samaritan Shelter is the largest provider of homeless services and substance use treatment programs in Santa Barbara County.

“We provide everything from sobering centers to detox to residential treatment to outpatient. We provide everything from warming centers to emergency shelter to transitional housing to permanent housing.”

One of the organization’s newest programs is Good Samwich, a food truck that serves customers while creating employment opportunities for people working to move forward.

For Carbajal, the job has provided stability and a sense of purpose.

“I was really happy getting a job. I got money coming in. I can pay the bills. It keeps me busy, out of trouble. I like it. I love this job.”

Food Truck Lead Angela Brooks described the program as a pathway into the restaurant industry.

“They’re getting jobs. We’re giving food and these guys are able to get their foot in the door to restaurant experience, which is such a great career.”

Both Sanders and Carbajal have their sights set on becoming chefs.

“I love to cook. I would like to become a chef.”

“Yeah, that’s my hope. To be a chef and get my own place … my own restaurant.”

For Barnard, those goals are a reminder of why the work continues.

“To see more people housed. To see less people struggle. Maybe one day I’ll be out of a job and that would be a celebration.”

Sanders hopes others facing hardship keep moving forward.

“Don’t give up because even during hard times, it’s always gonna get better.”

Good Samaritan Shelter leaders hope programs like Good Samwich will create even more opportunities for those seeking a second chance and a path toward long-term stability.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Soccer fans went wild watching the United States men’s national soccer team vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bars and pubs including the Santa Barbara Public Market, The Press Room, Dargan’s Irish Pub, Baja Sharkeez, Institution Ale Co. and many more filled up fast and added screens inside and out.

A former Bosnian Olympic long distance runner proudly cheered on Bosnia and Herzegovina in a room packed with fans cheering on the red, white, and blue.

“I was on first Bosnia Olympic team, we came out of the war zone to compete,” said Mirsada Burić.

“We are very prideful people we’ve been through a lot, so to be here with our family and friends, and I think about every Bosnian between SLO and Oxnard is here tonight, ” said Rebeca Adam.

“We are cheering for them we are hoping we are going to win, but even if we don’t, we will be happy that the better players win tonight,” said Burić.

They ordered their jerseys off Tik Tok.

“I can’t say I am too conflicted, I am really excited for Bosnia. We are American, though, so it is a win-win,” said Iskra Volić.

“Obviously, we are small country, we’re are just excited to be here,” Innes Volić.

Some families brought their young AYSO players.

“It’s amazing, just a great opportunity to get collective, get behind the U.S. and see how far they can go,” said Jaques Habra .

Things got even rowdier when it was clear the United States would win 2-0.

“I am with my family and friends in my home I flew from Florida just this experience,” said former soccer player and sports reporter Faith Busby.

“It was a huge win, down to 10 men the last 30 minutes or something, to pull that off, it is huge going onto the round of 16,” said Luke Holroyd, who watched from one of the tables covered with American flags.

Bartenders said the matches have been great for business.

And with prices at the stadiums soaring, it’s a bargain to watch on big screen TVs.

The next big watch party at these local bars and pubs will be England vs. Mexico.

For more information about the schedule visit https://www.fifa.com

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