Residents and visitors to the Santa Ynez Valley took advantage of Halloween to roam the area in their scariest, funniest, and wackiest (or some combination of the three) costumes — or in their regular clothes — to partake in “spooky season” events held in the area.

Chief among those events was the 31st Annual Haunted House and Street Fair in Solvang. For the second straight year, the city’s Parks and Recreation created a scary setup at the Solvang Festival Theater for the week- end of October 24 and 25. 

Reception for the Haunted House was unprecedented as the attraction drew record numbers, with 1,137 people showing up on Friday, and 1,634 on Saturday, when the line to get in went all the way up 2nd Street and around the corner along Copen- hagen Drive. 

“This has been great,” said Candice Libera of Solvang Parks and Rec, who was managing the entrance at the theater. “We had almost 1,200 last night and are expecting more. And everybody’s enjoying the fair we have out here.” 

Yes, the Street Fair. As folks were waiting in line at the theater others were roaming about, many in costumes to check out the street vendors and also grab a bite to eat at the Whiskey and Rye food truck. In addition to delicious dishes, the owners also had a widescreen TV so nobody missed Game 2 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. 

However, the big attraction to the Fair, other than the Haunted House, was a flash mob of locals performing the Michael Jackson “Thriller” dance. The group gathered at approximately 6:30 in zombie makeup to do the dance to the classic tune from the King of Pop. 

Maria Henning of Santa Barbara was one of the volunteers who took part in the performance. 

“I answered an email asking for dancers, and I thought it would be fun,” she said.“We rehearsed for two weeks at the Maverick Saloon, and I think we pulled it off OK.” 

An old aquaintance of Henning’s, Kylie Tigard of Solvang, also participated in the flash mob. 

“Maria and I went to school together over 40 years ago at Santa Ynez High,” Tigard said.“We’re still out doing crazy stuff.” 

Caroline Howe of Solvang was one of leaders of the mob, helping out Vanessa Robertson, a line-dance instructor at the Maverick, who organizes the event every Halloween. 

“I’m just here helping out Vanessa,” Howe said after the early Saturday performance. “She teaches the line dancing at the Maverick, and we’ve been getting the ‘Thriller’ flash mob together for the last five years. We always seem to draw some people, so it should be going next year, and however many years after.” 

A few days after the Haunted House closed up shop for another year, Solvang Parks and Rec took to Facebook to thank everyone: “THANK YOU for making the 31st Annual Haunted House & Street Fair a TREAT! We had a record-breaking weekend!” 

The department credited Fred Lageman for being the “creative genius behind the theme & design,” Jalen, Jenny,Elisa,Candice,TerriandWendy, for the décor at the front of house; and the Parks & Maintenance crew for setup, cleanup and road closures. 

The department also gave credit to volunteers like Vivi and Ken Zigler, Anne and Val Nicholas, Kasi Magu- ire, Ryan Metzger, Athena McCan- dlish, Terri Harmon, Claudia Orona (for makeup), Chantel Green of the Solvang Festival Theater, Kevin McConnell (music and sound), the guides “walking five miles a night” and monsters and the street fair vendors for adding to the fun! The department added that funds raised at the event go back into community programs — keeping them affordable for all. 

Solvang wasn’t the only community hosting a Halloween event on Saturday, Oct. 24 — the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce was holding its own Halloween celebration on Sagunto Street. 

While there was no haunted house, there was a street busy with activity as attendees and the still-open businesses on the street greeted trick-or- treaters, took part in a costume contest, and some families sat on hay bales in a viewing area to watch the Disney Pixar movie “Coco” on a big-screen TV. 

Linda Small, executive director of the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce, said the organization started this event up again as sort of a trial run after the event was interrupted. 

“We had this going for a number of years, with bounce houses, petting zoos, a lot of things,” Small said. “Then the pandemic hit and we had to discontinue it. This is our first attempt after the pandemic and we thought a movie, the businesses with the trick-or-treat- ing, the restaurants being open, would draw some people. 

“We’re just testing it out now, and we know there are a lot of other things going on tonight. We’ll see how this goes and if we have it again next year, and maybe make it bigger.” 

Among the attendees were the Arias family from Lompoc — Ozzie, Melissa, and their toddler daughter Kaia — who were the winners in the family category of the costume contest. Ozzie wore an inflatable dinosaur on his lower half, making it look like he was riding on top of it, while little Kaia wore a dinosaur onesie and Melissa went with a more understated dinosaur decoration. 

“We heard about this and thought it would be fun; it’s our daughter’s first year that she’s aware of Halloween, so we thought we’d come out here because it’s a little more low-key,” Ozzie said. 

Across the Valley, people had a few more days to vote in the Scarecrow Fest, as businesses’ themed scarecrow display were up for judging, as onlookers were invited to vote for their favorites. 

According to the Scarecrow Fest website (syvscarecrows.com), 52 displays were put up all over the Valley, up from 46 in last year’s contest. A list of winners, as well as the winner of the Harvest Award for the most popular will be shown in a future issue. 

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Staff Report

The fifth annual Buellton Fall Festival will return to the Avenue of the Flags in Buellton from Nov. 7-9. The event schedule is Friday, Nov. 7, from 4 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8 and 9, from 12 to 10 p.m.
The family-friendly, free-admission event will feature a carnival with rides and games, over 40 bands on two stages, and over 60 food and merchant vendors. It’s conveniently located right off Highway 101 in Buellton.
This year, the event organizers have focused on bringing in more carnival rides, headliners, and special entertainment nights.
“The Buellton Fall Fest is a great event for the entire community and visitors alike,” said Kathy Vreeland, executive director of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce. “Being on a holiday weekend allows families to come out every day and enjoy all the rides, games, food, and the live music. We look forward to this event each year and are so thankful for En Fuego Events for bringing this event to Buellton. The festival takes place on the Avenue of Flags and showcases the heart of our city. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Buellton.”
On Friday, Nov. 7, the Fall Fest kicks off with an ’80s and ’90s Dance Party on the Rio Vista Chevrolet Main Stage featuring everyone’s favorite, The Molly Ringwald Project. Also playing will be the 90s Babies, Smelly Cat, and The Last Decade.
Saturday, Nov. 8, will be the “Funk ‘n’ Rock the Block Party,” with Nautical Thrust, The New Vibe, and False Puppet. Saturday evening will be Reggae Night, featuring local band Cornerstone, and reggae legend and
icon, Pato Banton. Pato is a Grammy-nominated reggae legend who has recorded and toured the world with The English Beat, Steel Pulse, UB40, and Sting, among many others.

Pato’s concerts are upbeat, positive, energetic, and family-friendly. He travels all over the world, and now he will host a free concert at the Buellton Fall Fest.
“Having Pato come back and do this free concert during the Buellton Fall Festival is going to be amazing for the community,” said event organizer and co-owner of En Fuego Events, Andres Nuño. “We had a lot of people reach out hoping to have him come back and play the Fall Fest, and we are excited we finally were able to make it happen.”
Sunday, Nov. 9, starts with Fiesta Sunday, featuring Traviesos Jr., Equipo Marcado, and Equipo Elite.

The event ends with Country Night, featuring the Jimi Nelson Band, and local favorites Agin Brothers and Territorial Law, and Jayden Secor. Adding to the fun will be the Central Coast’s finest line dance instructor, Vanessa Robertson.
You can see the full entertainment schedule, including the bands playing on the Discover Buellton Stage at www.BuelltonFallFest.com/entertainment.
The carnival will feature rides and games for all ages, including the Century Ferris Wheel, the Zipper, bumper cars, a carousel, Super Slide, Extreme, Kamikaze, Pharaohs Fury, and other favorites.
Carnival presale All-You-Can-Ride wristbands ($38) are available online until Thursday, Nov. 6, at 10 p.m. Carnival wristbands and credits will continue to be available online and at the Fall Fest after the presale deadline. You can also purchase All-You-Can-Ride wristbands in person at the Buellton Chamber of Commerce located at 597 Avenue of the Flags, Suite 101.
For guests over 21, the Ales on the Avenue boutique-style Beer and Wine Festival will feature more than 12 breweries, ciders, and wineries on Saturday, Nov. 8. The event is from 12 to 3:30 p.m. and tickets are $35 presale. Tickets are available on the event website.
The Buellton Fall Festival donates a portion of proceeds to the Buellton Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund that benefits local high school seniors.
For more information about the Buellton Fall Festival, visit www.BuelltonFallFest.com.

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Santa Ynez resident Jeff Gourson enjoys taking his restored maroon 1964 Pontiac GTO out to car shows, and even taking a drive in it with his wife Stacey to have lunch in Los Alamos. However, that doesn’t mean he completely enjoyed the road he took to finally get the vehicle in its current shape.

“It was nightmare; I never want to do it again,” Gourson said in Solvang on Saturday, Oct. 11, during the third annual Viking Classic Car Show. “If I decide to get a new car, I’ll go to one of the dealerships and get the finished product.”

However, he didn’t mind the attention the GTO got, as he won the Solvang Mayor’s Award, as Mayor David Brown picked that one as his favorite of the approximately 250 entries in the show.

It was the fifth annual car show put on by the Vikings of Solvang since the organizers of its predecessor, the Wheels and Windmills car show, decided to discontinue the event. The Vikings are a 501(c)(3) organization that provides funding for the medically related needs of qualified individuals and health care organizations in the Santa Ynez Valley and throughout Santa Barbara County. All money raised from the show went toward that goal.

The show’s Mayor’s Trophy pick seemed like it would be a difficult one for Brown, and maybe it was, until he talked to Gourson about his ride.

“I looked around at the cars, and I just saw this as one I would really love driving if I owned one,” Brown said after he presented Gourson with the award. “And then he told me the story about what he went through to get it this way, I knew I would pick this one.”

Ah, yes, the story behind the Pontiac. We’ll let Mr. Gourson continue with it.

“In 1964 my dad said he would co-sign for a car, and I told him I wanted a Pontiac LeMans Tempest,” he said. “Well, they didn’t have that one, so they offered me at GTO, and $3,100 later I brought it home.”

After a few years, Gourson decided to sell the car, but then started missing ownership of the car.

“I got a bug and I wanted my old car back,” he said. “So, my wife Stacey found a restoration company in Burbank and the guy there found the old frame for the model. 

“However, shortly after he started restoring it, he went bankrupt,” Gourson said. “I got a letter from his lawyer saying I’d better come and get it or they will impound it, so I went down there with a trailer and brought it back. After we stored it for about five years, we got a new restorer. Then we found out none of the parts we had fit. After contacting the previous restorer, the one who went bankrupt, he claimed he got robbed and they stole all the original stuff off the car. But we got it done, eventually.”

And now Courson takes his car to the weekly Cars and Coffee event at El Rancho Marketplace in Santa Ynez, and it has now won an award.

“I’m very proud of it,” he said. “I certainly didn’t see it [the award] coming, but it’s nice.”

What was also nice was the turnout for the show, both in entries and audience, according to car show co-chairmans Gregg Weitzman and Jordan Sideris.

“We sold out with the 250 show entries ahead of time, but then we had some drop out, which happens,” Wietzman said. “But then we had some entries show up this moning to make up for that, so we had it pretty close to sold out.”

Not only was it a sellout in excellent weather conditions, but it was all for a good cause, Sideris said.

“This and the golf fundraiser are our main fundraisers,” he said. “We have no overhead and 100% goes to those families in need.”

Downtown Solvang saw cars lined up along Copenagen Drive and both 1st and 2nd streets, as folks admired, or showed off, plenty of motorized masterpieces.

One group displaying their wheels were member of the Nite Life car club in Santa Barbara, who had eight vehicles on the east end of Copenhagen.

“Our club started in 1980 and we have about 20 of these events every year, tradition lowrider stuff; and this is one we like to come to,” said Danny Trejo, one of the club members. “We like to promote the fact that we’re going outside and enjoying the fresh air instead of sitting at home or being on drugs.”

A couple more of the Nite Life members Cesar Palma and Bobby Pulman, however, were just here to enjoy the scene.

“I love it here, it’s really nice,” Palma said. “We get to see some cars and meet some people to talk cars. it’s really nice,” Palma said.

Pulman agreed: “We like to see the vehicles, but making interactions with the people here is great.”

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With the school year now upon us, the time has come again for the monthly awarding of the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge Student of the Month, giving to a deserving Santa Ynez High School student — for the month of September, the honoree is Ransell Perez Nunez.

Ransell has demonstrated outstanding dedication to his academics throughout high school. He currently holds a 3.5 GPA and has challenged himself with a rigorous course load. He is enrolled in AVID, has successfully completed two Honors courses and two AP classes, and has also taken four concurrent enrollment courses at Allan Hancock College. His commitment to growth and learning is evident in the way he balances a demanding academic schedule with his many extracurricular leadership roles.

Ransell is the youngest of four siblings and has lived in the Valley his entire life. He treasures his family and faith, and those values guide the way he shows up as a student and as a community member. When asked what he appreciates most about SYHS, Ransell shared that the closeness of the school and SYV Valley community makes it a place where “everyone knows and cares for each other.”

His role model is his brother Vidal, whose hard work and determination to overcome challenges inspire Ransell daily. That same perseverance has fueled his own academic and extracurricular success. A dedicated student, Ransell especially enjoys social studies, where engaging teachers encourage him to debate, defend, and challenge his beliefs. He says he learns the most through project-based learning and debates, which push him to think critically and grow.

Ransell is an involved and accomplished student leader. He currently serves as a regional FFA officer, representing students from San Jose to Los Angeles. He is also active in the Robotics Club, serves as Vice
President of the OLA Club, and has participated in theater. These activities have sharpened his leadership skills, given him a voice in shaping school culture, and strengthened his ability to connect with others. Through FFA, he has gained confidence in public speaking, and through OLA, he has found a sense of home and community.

He describes himself as hardworking, genuine, and committed to integrity — values instilled in him by his family. Even when facing challenges, like recovering from a serious car accident, Ransell has pushed forward with resilience and determination. His motivation to succeed academically comes from honoring his family’s sacrifices, as he strives to give back and provide them with security and pride. Looking ahead, Ransell hopes to attend UCLA or NYU, major in business or pre-law, and pursue a career in immigration or corporate law. His dream is not only to become a lawyer but also to start a foundation to help struggling populations rise out of homelessness.

Outside of academics, Ransell has a playful side—he can juggle, play some piano, and he loves the movie “Nacho Libre.” His advice to younger students is simple but powerful: “Apply yourself, try hard, and always level up. Be compassionate and kind to everyone.”

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By Pamela Dozois

Contributing Writer

The 88th annual Solvang Danish Days Parade was held on Saturday, Sept. 20, as part of the three-day celebration of all things Danish. This year’s theme was “Be Happy — Vær Glæde!.” 
Approximately 25 parade entries joined in the festivities with the Color Guard leading the way, followed by the Boy Scouts carrying a banner welcoming everyone to Danish Days. Next up was the Danish Maid, Addie Madrid, riding in a red Mustang, followed by the Nordhoff High School Rangers Marching Band, then the Grand Marshals of this year’s parade, Brenda and Mark Anderson. Celebrating the famous author Hans Christian Andersen was John Clark wearing his top hat, City of Solvang staff and officials,
two colorful Solvang Trollies, members of the Viking Charities, the Viking Ship filled with cheering Vikings, Danish Maid 2040, residents of the Atterdag Village, the Authentic Leather Patch Co., and the gaily decorated ribboned float flanked by the beautifully garbed dancers from Fossemalle Dance Studio.

A group of elves announced Julefest, the “Nesser are Coming,” and advised us all to “Be Happy.” The Perrin family waved to onlookers, followed by an entry by the Padilla Tile & Construction Company throwing candy to the children lining the sidewalks. Next along the parade route was Birkholm’s Bakery,
Franciscan friars dressed in their brown robes, Kay Dominguez directing the Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band, beautifully dressed señoritas, one on horseback, then the Figueroa Mountain Brewery bus displaying images of its colorful brews, followed by the Carlsberg Pilsner float carrying the Solvang Village Band.
And for the grand finale, a huge Beehive float, as tall as the surrounding buildings, rolled by with a group of men and women all dressed in bright yellow beehive T-shirts complete with bee antennae on their heads, courtesy of the Nielsen Building Materials family and friends.
A group of ladies from the Visalia Gadabouts, a senior group, came by bus just for the day. A visit to Solvang for Danish Days is on their yearly agenda. They said they did a lot of shopping. “Now I’m broke,” said one of the ladies. They bought T-shirts for their grandchildren, socks they said “were so cute,” cookies, thread, and a ring for one of them and, of course, a mug. “Whenever I go to a new place, I buy a mug and a magnet,” said another, all gleefully speaking in unison.
“This is the first time my friend and I have been to Solvang in more than 25 years,” said Lupe Ramizez. “The parade was wonderful. We caught lots of candy — we were just like kids. I even got a little wet from the water sprayed from one of the floats. We had a great time. Our whole visit was awesome.”

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By Pamela Dozois

The 79th annual Los Alamos Old Days celebration, a three-day event, was held on the weekend of Sept. 26-28, featuring a Classic Car Show, an Artisan’s Faire, the Old Days Stampede 5K Run, dinner and dancing at the Men’s Club, food, music, and games for the children, and the Biggest Little Hometown Parade. The theme of this year’s event was “How the West was One.”
The festivities began on Friday night at the Men’s Club with dinner and dancing to the music of “Red Oak
Country.”
Saturday morning saw one side of Bell Street filled with an array of vintage and antique cars and trucks
and the other side lined with vendors offering their wares. Children were treated to a variety of games, face painting, and bounce houses in Ferrini Park, and a petting zoo behind the Men’s Club. There were food trucks and tri-tip sandwiches available for hungry attendees. Also, there was a “Wild Woof West Dog Parade and Contest” sponsored by That’s FETCH!, Santa Barbara County Animal Services, and Ron and Betty Ziegler. And, of course, what would an old-time Western celebration be without Cow Pie Bingo, which was won by Esto Carrillo.

The winners of the car show were: Best in Show — Pete Gaalswy’s 1939 Plymouth Coupe; Best
Hot Rod — Paul Cetti’s 1933 Ford 3-Window Custom; Best Custom — Mario Angulo’s 1972 Chevrolet K5
Blazer; Best Classic Truck (pre-1990) — Mike Tremper’s 1972 Chevy C-10 Pickup; Best Muscle Car (stock
1960-1987) — Rick Wahlberg’s 1968 Chevy Camaro; Best Rat Rod — Cody Castagna’s 1935 Ford Pickup;
Best Classic Antique (pre-1942 stock) — Rob Rohrer’s 1915 Ford Model T Depot Hack; Best Patina (rods,
customs, trucks) — Teddy Broussard’s 1949 Chevrolet Carpenter School Bus; Best Sports Car 2-seater —
John Shockley’s 1954 Austin Healey 100; Best Volkswagen — Russell Newell’s 1966 VW 21 Window Bus;
Best Classic 1927-1941 (all makes and models) — Robert Mainor’s 1937 Chevrolet 2-door Sedan; Best Tri
Five (all makes and models) — Chris Chiavoni’s 1955 Chevy Bel-Air; Best 1946-1959 (all makes and
models) — Jose Negrete’s 1948 Chevy Fleetline; and Best Low Rider — Joe Hernandez’s 1954 Chevy Bel
Air. Due to overcast skies, many of the automobiles left soon after the judging in hopes of not getting
their cars wet, but dry weather prevailed for the entire weekend.
Saturday came to a close with everyone packing up for the night anticipating the next day’s events, but
the fun continued at the Los Alamos Men’s Club with a Cook Your Own Dinner/Dance with live music by
The Fossils, who played into the night. But there was more fun to be had the following day with the 5K
run and the “Biggest Little Small-Town Parade.”
On Sunday at 9 a.m., a 5K run/walk sponsored by CalSwoosh began with more than 40 people participating in the event. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit sports club, part of CalSwoosh, which uses the proceeds to help underprivileged kids to play sports. Trophies were awarded to the first-place male, Matthew Seurria whose time was 16.45, and first-place female, Halle Hamilton, whose time was 20.01. Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in seven divisions.

“This was the 14th year that CalSwoosh has participated in Los Alamos Old Days, and we had the most
people ever, with more than 40 participants,” said Coy Kendrick, organizer of the event.

Following the 5K run, Bell Street began to fill up with hundreds of people anticipating the parade, which was said to be the largest in its history with 48 entries. The sidewalks throughout Los Alamos were filled with people, in some places four or five deep awaiting the parade.

Seeing the parade approaching, Jacob Dana began to sing the national anthem while everyone stood
silently with hands over their hearts. Shirley Williams and Charlie Gonzales were the parade’s
announcers.

This year’s parade Grand Marshals were Ron and Betty Ziegler.

“The Zieglers have been a cornerstone of the Los Alamos community for decades, embodying the values of generosity, friendship, and dedication that define small-town life,” which was stated in part in their bio. “Both are well-known for their active support of local traditions, lending their time, resources, and encouragement to events that bring neighbors together year after year. Their belief in preserving community spirit has made them familiar and trusted faces at nearly every town event. Their commitment to family, friends, and neighbors reflects a deep love for the town they call home.” They have been married for 67 years.

The King and Monighetti families led the parade carrying the American flag, which has been their tradition since 1966. They were followed by the first-ever 2025 Old Days Queen, Lucy Martin, and Old Days Princess, Arena Longoria, and their court, dancing horses, and a brass band from Cabalgata Guadalupana de la Costa Central, and then the parade’s Grand Marshals.

Following the dignitaries was a variety of parade entries featuring dancing horses, hounds, fun floats,
vintage vehicles, beautifully costumed dancers, marching bands, vintage tractors, and floats by local
schools and businesses.

The 2025 Los Alamos Old Days Parade winners are as follows: Best Antique Vehicle 1st Place — Coastal
Vineyard Care Associates; Best Community Service Organization 1st Place — Sleep in Heavenly Peace;
Honorable Mention — JLD Boxing Academy; Best Equestrian Group 1st Place — Lienzo Charro Juan Juavez;
Honorable Mention — Santa Ynez Valley Hounds; Best Float 1st Place — Righetti FFA; Honorable Mention —
Lemos Feed & Pet Supply; Best Locals Entry 1st Place — Peppertree Farms Pumpkin Patch; Best
Elementary School — Olga Reed Broncos and Orcutt Academy K-8 Spartans (tie); Best Performance Group
(musical, marching) 1st Place — Orcutt Academy High School Marching Band; Honorable Mention —
Lompoc High Sapphire Dance; Best Restored Tractor 1st Place — Al Bennett; Honorable Mention — two
Farmall Tractors (Charles and Kelli Linquiti); Best Use of Theme 1st Place — Bundle ADU; Honorable
Mention — St. Joseph High School; and Best Military — Lompoc PD / Armored Rescue Vehicle.

Back at the Men’s Club, a barbecue contest was taking place, and this year’s winner was Priedite Barbecue.
Queen Lucy Martin, and Princess Arena Longoria, and their court — Xiomora Rubio, Elizabeth Flores, Sadie Greenwal, and Monica Diaz, raised $15,000 for the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club who sponsored the event.

“It was a privilege to raise money for such a worthy organization,” said Longoria. “This incredible weekend doesn’t just happen on its own. I want to recognize the amazing group of volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and talents to make Old Days possible. These committee chairs and leaders give up countless hours they could be spending with their families to organize, plan, and prepare. They juggle phone calls, emails, permits, and county/state requirements – all while working to create an event that brings joy to our town. Their dedication is inspiring, and I am beyond proud of what they have accomplished,” said Ray Williams, president of the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club.

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California’s premier Danish heritage festival, “Solvang Danish Days” (SolvangDanishDays.org), returns with a three-day event weekend lineup Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19, 20, and 21. The 2025 Solvang Danish Days theme, “Be Happy – Vær Glæde!,” will be celebrated during this year’s event, which honors the 1911 establishment of Solvang by Danish-Americans.

The 2025 edition of Solvang Danish Days will once again offer attendees a Danish immersion experience — without the flight to Europe — while helping to preserve Solvang’s authentic Danish heritage. Danish Days guests looking to “live like Vikings” throughout the event weekend have the opportunity to purchase a “Dane For A Day” VIP ticket bundle (only available online atwww.eventbrite.com/e/solvang-danish-days-2025-tickets-1343140412129?aff=oddtdtcreator), while those looking to gain quicker entrance to the Saturday and/or Sunday Æbleskiver Breakfasts may purchase online tickets for the breakfasts in advance. Advance, online tickets for the 2025 Æbleskiver Breakfasts and Dane For A Day ticket packages are currently on sale.

Solvang Danish Days continues to mix “old country charm and customs” with a more modern “way of life” through its varied activities that blend Danish-American traditions with present-day festival highlights, while showcasing everything “Solvang.”

The weekend’s array of offerings includes activities for all ages ranging from fan-following food events surrounding Æbleskiver, the iconic Danish pastry rounds; to a Danish-style beer and wine garden serving Danish import, Carlsberg beer, alongside local brews, wines and festival foods; to an axe throwing arena; a Viking “camp” and presentations; interactive history lessons at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art; story time sessions with fairytale favorite, Hans Christian Andersen; to a future-telling rune reader; and, an Old World artisanal crafts marketplace.

Solvang Danish Days boasts a full weekend of entertainment with multiple parades, Danish folk dancers and musicians performing at locations all over town, plus afternoons and evenings of free, live concerts on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in the middle of downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. Solvang Danish Days 2025 will, once again, also offer family-friendly pastimes, including the popular, and shaded, LEGO tents in Solvang Park, and an expanded Kid’s Korner with face painting, activities, and games.

Also returning to Solvang Danish Days is the pastry-fueled, all-ages Aebleskiver Eating Contest, which will take place on both Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 AM, crowning 2025 winners able to consume the highest count of aebleskiver in just five minutes, all hands-free. Rejoining this year’s nosh is competitive eater Naader Reda (@freakeating), trying to best his own record from the 2024 Aebleskiver Eating Contests.

Since the 1960s, Solvang Danish Days has been presided over by each year’s Danish Maid, a tradition that remains an honorable accomplishment for each of the Maids appointed by the Danish Days Foundation Board members to become a specific year’s Danish Days “royalty.” Solvang’s Danish Maids serve as goodwill ambassadors during their year of service, making public appearances to promote Solvang and the City’s spirit of Danish hospitality.

The 2025 Danish Maid is 17-year-old Addie Madrid, a Solvang resident and third-generation Maid whose Danish roots reach across the seas to Denmark. Her mother, Ashlee, is of mixed background, including Danish ancestry, and her grandmother, Glenda, traces her Denmark ties to her Danish-born parents, Marie and Johannes Jaeger.

Serving as the 2025 Danish Maid, Addie follows the regal, third-generation path of her grandmother, Glenda Jaeger Madrid, Danish Maid in 1971; her mother, Ashlee Madrid, Danish Maid in 1999; and her sister, Aleena Madrid, Danish Maid in 2022.

“Velkommen to Danish Days 2025,” said Addie Madrid, Solvang’s 2025 Danish Maid. “I’m so excited that we get to gather once again to celebrate our heritage, our stories, and everything that makes Solvang feel like home, for locals and for visitors. Whether you’re here for the traditional Danish foods, the parades and dancing, or simply the feeling of community, I hope this weekend reminds you – just like it reminds me – of where we come from and why we keep returning.”

Meanwhile, it was announced on Monday, Sept. 15, that Brenda and Mark Anderson will be the 2025 Danish Days Grand Marshals. Brenda’s family has been involved in Danish Days since its inception, and the couple and their offspring have been involved with the event for many years (see item in News Briefs, page 2)

More information about Solvang Danish Days including the preliminary schedule a brief history of the event, parade applications, and contact information, is also available at www.SolvangDanishDays.org. Solvang Danish Days is also on Facebook (facebook.com/SolvangDanishDays) and Instagram (@DanishDays). You can also find a day-by-day schedule with this story at santaynezvalleystar.com

Solvang Danish Days 2025 – Preliminary Event Weekend Highlights*

FRIDAY, SEPT. 19

10:30 a.m.: John Clark, Hans Christian Andersen Storytime – Young and old alike will enjoy listening to an hour of tales from Denmark’s favorite author. Friday reading: 10:30 AM at the Solvang Library (1745 Mission Drive).

4 to 7 p.m.: Free Concert – The Rincons, performing live in free concert on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome; but one must be 21 years or older to enter Viking Beer & Wine Garden.

4 to 9 p.m.: Axe Throwing – An axe-throwing arena in downtown Solvang. Public invited to give axe throwing a try; must be 13 years of age or older to enjoy. Ages 13-17 need to have a parent or guardian present. Closed-toe shoes required. Axe throwing continues on Saturday and Sunday.

4 to 9:30 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden – Outdoor beer and wine garden; supports the Solvang Danish Days Foundation. Viking Beer & Wine Garden continues on Saturday. (Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages.)

7:30 p.m.: Torchlight Parade – Free for participants, all ages welcome, candles will be provided. Route begins at Alisal Road and Laurel Avenue, strolling south down Alisal Road and ending at the Midgaard Pavilion Stage

8 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies in Solvang Park introducing the 2025 Danish Maid, Addie Madrid, a welcome by Solvang Mayor David Brown, plus the 2025 Grand Marshals (TBA). Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20

8:30 a.m. to  12 p.m.: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive between First and Second streets, $10 per person (with Danish sausage, $12). Tickets available online in advance, or at the event entrance.

9 a.m.: Old World Artisans Marketplace – Demonstrations and artisan hand-crafted items including Scandinavian arts & crafts, woodworking, papercutting, among others. An open-air Nordic shopping district of finely crafted items, on First Street.

Vikings of Bjornstad – The Vikings of Bjornstad, a living history and educational group concentrating on the Viking age, will be in Solvang for this year’s Danish Days.

10 a.m. to. 5 p.m.: Expanded Kid’s Korner featuring the popular LEGO® tents in Solvang Park, plus Luna’s Jumps attractions.

10:30 a.m.: John Clark, Hans Christian Andersen Storytimes – Saturday reading at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft).

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Living History Festival at Elverhøj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.Elverhoj.org). Exhibits come to life during this free, interactive history lesson for all ages. Craftspeople, artisans, and storytellers demonstrate their skills and entertain visitors. Snap a selfie at the Viking photo stop stocked with costumes and props.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Axe Throwing

11:30 a.m.: Æbleskiver Eating Contest – Contest will be held in the Midgaard Pavilion in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome for this five-minute competition.

12 to 9:30 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden – Outdoor beer and wine garden; supports the Solvang Danish Days Foundation. (Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages.)

2:30 p.m.: Danish Days Parade – Includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, floats, equestrians, Village Dancers and more. Line-up starts at 1:30 p.m. on First Street near Molle Way; parade begins by turning east on Copenhagen Drive, then north on Alisal Road, west on Mission Drive, south on Atterdag Road, east on Copenhagen, south on Second Street, finishes through Molle Way (running behind Solvang Festival Theater) back to First Street. NO CHARGE to participate in the parade; applications are available at www.SolvangDanishDays.org/contact-us

3 to 10 p.m.: Free Concerts featuring live performances on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage. Out Of The Blue performs from 3 to 6 p.m.; The Molly Ringwald Project performs from 7 to 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21

8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive between First and Second streets, $10 per person (with Danish sausage, $12). Advance tickets available for sale at solvang-danish-days-2025.eventbrite.com.

9:00 a.m.: Old World Artisans Marketplace

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Axe Throwing

Vikings of Bjornstad

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kid’s Korner

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Free Admission Day at Elverhøj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.Elverhoj.org). Enjoy a day of free admission to Solvang’s Elverhøj Museum of History & Art.

11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: John Clark, Hans Christian Andersen Storytimes — Sunday readings: 11:00 a.m. at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft), 1 p.m. at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art.

11:30 a.m.: Æbleskiver Eating Contest – Contest will be held in the Midgaard Pavilion in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome for this five-minute competition.

12 to 2:30 p.m.: Free Concert – The Lowdown Dudes Band performs live in the Solvang Park Gazebo.

12 to 5 p.m.: Solvang Brewing Co. in Solvang Park – Sip locally-crafted beers at the Solvang Brewing Company tent in Solvang Park. (You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages.)

2:30 p.m.: Children’s Parade – Parade begins at Atterdag Square (corner of Atterdag Road and Copenhagen Drive) and meanders down Copenhagen to Solvang Park. All children and families are welcome to join this event; no charge to participate, and costumes are encouraged.

3 p.m.: Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park – The 2025 Danish Days Maid closes the festive event weekend.

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The Triumph Foundation recently held a hand-cycling event at River View Park in Buellton for those suffering from disabilities. It offered participants the opportunity to try out hand-cycles. Thirty cycles were available for use, races were conducted, and there were plenty of volunteers to assist. Fun, food, and friendship filled the day.

Andrew Skinner, who has a spinal cord injury, is the founder of the Triumph Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help children, adults, and veterans with disabilities triumph over obstacles and inspire them to keep moving forward with their lives by pushing themselves to get better every day. Founded in 2008, the foundation assists people from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County, with about 20,000 members, 6,000 of whom are disabled.

“We visit hospitals all over Southern California with people who have suffered catastrophic injuries or neurological disorders,” explained Skinner. “That’s the heart of what we do. We host adaptive recreation events almost every week in different areas. We bring all the equipment, coaches, and volunteers, and anyone is welcome to attend. It doesn’t matter if you have a disability or not.”

“This event featured hand cycles, and we brought 30 of them with us. Twenty-five people took the opportunity to try riding the cycles and racing around the park,” said Skinner. “Too many people with disabilities don’t get out and live life. They isolate themselves and don’t realize what they are capable of and what they’re missing. This event is more than just cycling, it is about fellowship, making friends, and living life to our fullest ability. We extend an invitation to all people interested, especially our friends with disabilities.”

David Magallanes was the organizer of this event and is the leader in Triumph’s Santa Barbara County division, although there are support groups all over the state that hold monthly gatherings in various locations.

“I love to connect with people and let them know they are not alone,” said Magallanes. “We help meet each other’s needs, share experiences, and have fun at the same time.”

Magallanes brought up one person in particular the group has reached.

“I met one of our young members some time ago as she was going into the YMCA with her mother and siblings,” he said. “I knew, being in a wheelchair, she was just going to sit there and watch her siblings having a good time. I mentioned to them about the Triumph Foundation, and she was here today, having fun, riding a hand-cycle. That’s what Triumph is all about.

“We are the furthest northern branch of Triumph. We used to meet in Santa Barbara, but that was a little inconvenient for everyone up here, so we started a new branch in North County. We meet the second Tuesday of each month in Orcutt at Giovanni’s Pizza, but in the summer we meet at the Naughty Oak Brewery to be outside.”

Another visitor at the event was William Hendrickson, also known as “Wheelchair Willie.” Hendrickson has been competing in wheelchair sports for the past 20 years, winning approximately 50 medals. He just returned from Minneapolis, where he competed in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and recently competed at the Angel City Games in Los Angeles.

“A lot of people showed up today to try out the cycles and had races around the park,” said Hendrickson. “There was a lot of camaraderie. We chatted with each other about what we are up to. A lot of people are on their own, and linking up at these events helps us work together to solve problems.”

“To me, it’s not about the competition anymore; it’s about the kids and the newly injured — inspiring and teaching them how to be successful in sports and in life,” said Hendrickson. “I’m getting to be one of the oldest competitors — I’m 60. There are not too many of us left.”

Dominick Trevethan, who also attended the event, is a podcaster, a radio programmer, and blogger, who can be found at thedisabilitymyth.com. As he puts it, his podcast is about “amplifying the voice of the disability community; bridging the gap between disabled and non-disabled experiences; and being
handsome, humble, and hammy.”

“This is the first hand-cycling event I’ve been to, and last week we held the Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. It was awesome to meet new friends here today and reunite with the people from camp,” said Trevethan.

Another local advocate of the Triumph Foundation is Will Ambler, president and founder of SCI Research Advancement, who attended the event.

“The Triumph Foundation serves a unique niche to benefit people with disabilities on the Central Coast,” Ambler said. “After being invited to several events as a guest speaker and casual participant, I have seen firsthand the great value the Triumph Foundation provides to people with disabilities. The hand-cycling gathering was a perfect example of the service they provide. Volunteers bring food, drink, and specialized equipment to a park. They invite anyone who might be interested to try out the equipment or support the group. All the while, people are having fun, making new friends and contacts. This is a great support group, and I know this is a worthwhile foundation. If you get the chance to participate in any of the events, you will be extremely happy to choose to get involved with the Triumph Foundation.”

For more information about the Triumph Foundation, visit www.triumph-foundation.org/events.

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Addie Madrid has been chosen as Solvang’s Danish Maid and will preside over this year’s 88th Solvang Danish Days celebration, whose theme this year is “Be Happy–Vaer Glaede!” Madrid will fulfill her “royal” duties during this year’s event weekend — Friday through Sunday, September 19 through 21 — and throughout her year’s reign. She is the fourth woman in her family to hold the title of Solvang Danish Maid. That title was also held by her grandmother, Glen- da Jaeger Madrid (1971); her mother, Ashlee Madrid (1999); and her sister, Aleena Madrid (2022). 

Madrid, who is 17 and will be a senior this year at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, applied last spring to the Solvang Danish Days Foundation for a chance at becoming this year’s Danish Maid. Due in part to her familial background and involvement in previous Danish Days events “every year since I was born,” she was chosen to be this year’s Danish Maid. 

Both sides of Madrid’s family ancestry run deep in the history of Solvang and are rooted in Denmark. According to information provided by the foundation, Madrid’s great-great-grandfather, Viggo Tarnow, came to the United States from Copenhagen in 1914. He settled in Minnesota, where he met and married Cora, later moving his family, including their daughter, Marie, to California. Tarnow taught at Solvang’s Atterdag Folk School and helped to shape what is now the Atterdag Village of Solvang senior care center. His love for the Santa Ynez Valley ran deep, and through his dedication, Addie’s family became woven into the very fabric of Solvang. 

The foundation also stated that Madrid’s great-grandfather, Johannes Jaeger, came from Tindbaek, Denmark, in 1948, with hope in his heart and carpentry tools in his hands. In Solvang, he met and married Marie Tarnow, and together they built not just homes but a life of service and commitment to the community. Johannes became a partner in the Madsen & Jaeger Contracting Firm, and many of the Solvang structures that he helped build still stand today — such as the large windmill on Alisal Road and the Solvang Brewing Company windmill on Mission Drive. Alongside Marie, he gave back to the community through volunteer work at Atterdag College, Bethania Lutheran Church, the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, and more. 

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Robbie Kaye is creativity in motion. As an artist, composer, classical musician, photographer, and former gymnast, she has never stopped exploring the myriads of ways of bringing beauty into this world. Kaye has performed and composed music for many years in New York and Portland, Oregon, before she transitioned into photography and painting. Kaye’s work has been exhibited internationally in museums and galleries and has been featured in numerous publications such as LensCulture, Lenscratch, Gourmet, and Marie Claire magazines.

Three years ago, Kaye returned to her music roots after receiving a box of her old cassettes and started writing and recording again. She will be performing at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang on Thursday, Aug. 7, in a Songwriters in the Round event with Arwen Lewis, Toni Land, and Emily Zuzik. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the performance will start at 8 p.m. Lost Chord Guitars is at 1576 Copenhagen Drive, Ste 101, Solvang.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she says her first experience of life consisted of the big city until her parents sent her to summer camp at the age of 5. It was then that she said she took her first breath of fresh air, experienced nature in all its glory, and realized that she was destined to replicate the wonder and beauty she had experienced in those summer months. They were the foundation for her love of art and all the elements of nature.

As a child, she studied gymnastics and was trained in classical piano. After graduating from high school, she attended a college in Georgia because it had a good gymnastics program, and as a gymnast, she wanted to compete collegiately. However, Kaye really didn’t fit into the more-rural area, she said, and quit the gymnastics team. She eventually returned, but an injury derailed her athletic career.

“During spring training, I landed incorrectly and hurt my back,” she said. “Since I couldn’t do gymnastics any longer, I turned to my other love, which was music. I had been classically trained in piano in New York, so I took music courses instead. When I returned to New York for Christmas vacation, I was immediately put into the hospital for back surgery. I had a herniated disc and never returned to school.”

She then applied to Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying jazz and majoring in composition and piano. After a year and a half at Berklee, Kaye returned to Long Island and joined a rock ‘n’ roll band in 1979.

“We made a 45 record, performed in New York City, got on the radio, and, like most bands, we broke up,” she said. “At the ripe age of 22, I moved to Manhattan and pursued a music career by collaborating with other musicians. In the interim, I tried working 9-to-5 jobs, but I just couldn’t handle it for very long.”

In the early 1990s Kaye had her own band, five girls and one guy, called Reverend Tribble & the Angels. Kaye’s journey as a songwriter is rooted in a deep love of music and a dedication to her craft.

“I started writing my own songs when I was 16, when my parents told me they were getting a divorce. It was a means of expressing my sadness at the time, and I continued writing lyrics for my own music,” she continued. “I also had the good fortune of being signed to Warner Chappell Music as a staff songwriter. The following year, one of the songs I co-wrote was for Disney Records, and the following year, the same song was placed in a Disney film.”

A change in her personal life meant a change in location. She got married and moved to Portland, continuing to put out music and playing in her own band. Entering the new millennium Kaye decided to change course and return to school.

“I quit the music scene for the first time in 2000 and went back to school to study creative writing and literature. I continued writing and recording but got out of the business side of it,” she continued. “I moved to the Oregon coast for six months, where I traded music for my room and board. While I was there, I took writing classes through Portland State University in Cannon Beach, Oregon, then moved to Santa Cruz to continue studying and got a job at UC Santa Cruz while attending school there.”

Kaye then moved to Santa Monica and worked for the Dean of Admissions at USC while continuing her studies, taking photography and poetry classes, and then working with one of her professors, California Poet Laureate Carol Muske-Dukes, on a project for the 125th anniversary of USC in 2005.

“We created a poetry/photography book for the occasion focusing on the school’s architecture and landscapes. I pursued a photographic career, and in 2009, I traveled the country interviewing women who were in their 70s and older at their weekly beauty parlor appointments and created a photographic book called ‘Beauty & Wisdom.’”

In 2013, Kaye moved to the Valley, launched her book, and started painting motorcycle tire treads on T-shirts, sweatshirts, and on canvas, selling them in a business she started.

“I continued with my photography and transitioned into abstract expressionism, painting trees for a collection called ‘Naked Trees’ and another called ‘All Dressed Up & Everywhere to Go,’ which can be viewed and purchased at Helen’s Hair Studio in Santa Ynez,” said Kaye.

Kaye’s new single, “Clear Blue Sky,” was released Aug. 5 on Spotify and all listening platforms, and she is presently writing and recording songs for film, TV, and ads. Robbie’s song, “Big Red Truck,” has been played on NPR Radio and national daytime television. She has an art studio in Santa Ynez, and is continuing to be a creative force of nature.

For more information, visit www.robbiekaye.com or email robbie@robbiekaye.com.

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