Organization looking forward to Santa Ynez Old Days and Rodeo coming in June
The Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum on March 20. Linda Small, the executive director of the Chamber, presented a slideshow that reviewed what the Chamber accomplished in 2024 and some of the highlights of future events in 2025.
Emphasized at the meeting was the unveiling of a horse that was painted by local artist Maryvonne LaParliere and donated to the Santa Ynez Historical Museum and Carriage House.
Artistically painted wooden horses graze around Santa Ynez thanks to the work and collaboration between the Santa Ynez Chamber and community artists, a project that was conceived by the Chamber several years ago and which has been well-received by merchants and visitors alike.
The horse that LaParliere had originally painted was stolen from the corner of Edison and Hwy. 246 in 2023. The new horse now resides outside the Carriage House in the patio section of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum.
Other subjects covered in the slideshow were sponsored business workshops that took place throughout the year that are of interest to Chamber members and community issues affecting the Santa Ynez Valley. The Chamber purchased four trash receptacles that were much needed in the Santa Ynez township; the Chamber brought on 20 new members in 2024; the Chamber held four social mixers where Chamber members networked and showcased their businesses. Regarding marketing efforts, the Chamber placed ads promoting the Santa Ynez township in a variety of popular traveler and destination guides and created a full-color brochure with a map to promote Santa Ynez and its Chamber members. Brochures are placed in hotels and high-traffic locations; the Chamber produced a 2025 calendar highlighting historical town photos and participating Chamber members; the Chamber held a traditional Christmas tree lighting for the local community in early December and promotes special holiday activities throughout the season.
“The main efforts of the Chamber are to promote the township in order to increase town recognition and to build economic vitality,” said Small. “The Chamber is trying to get visitors and Valley locals alike to drive a little farther beyond Solvang to experience and discover all that Santa Ynez has to offer: excellent restaurants, unique retail shops, including high-quality Western clothing and jewelry, wine tasting rooms, and more.”
Emphasized during the meeting was the Chamber’s 2025 Old Santa Ynez Days, its largest event of the year, to be held Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22. The Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Old Santa Ynez Day Rodeo committee, has planned a fun-filled community event for Saturday, June 21, featuring vendors, kid activities, live music, a beer garden, food trucks, and more. The Santa Ynez Rodeo will be held both Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22.
For more information and tickets to the rodeo, visit www.syvrodeo.com. The Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) qualifying rodeo.
For more information, visit https://santaynezchamber.org.
