Star Staff
Crowds were very animated cheering for all the parade floats and participants during the annual Fourth of July parade in Solvang, sponsored by the Solvang Rotary Club. A few thousand people from all around as far away as China came to watch the small town parade celebrating America’s Independence Day. There were 675 participants in 73 entries. The judges were Jason Stiff, Meteorologist, for KCOY TV 12; Ken Harwood, Chamber of Commerce Economist and retired college professor; Elizabeth Jensen, retired Solvang store owner and board member of the Elverhoj Museum; and Allan Jones,
Below the photo gallery is the list of winners from yesterday’s parade.
The festivities continued into the evening with the Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Club sponsoring the booths and concerts at Old Mission Santa Ines as well as the firework show! All the proceeds benefit local charities and organizations that help people in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Sweepstakes – Reel Cowboys
Best Use of Parade Theme – Flat Fender Friends
Most Patriotic – Daughters of the American Revolution Santa Ynez and Lompoc chapters
Most Original – Operation Christmas Child
Most Amusing – Lompoc Shrine Club
Most Unique – Donut Time
Most Creative – All Sports Fitness
Best Band – Charros de Santa Ynez
Best Singing Group – Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co with Davy Brown and the Pale Ales!
Best Singing – Single – Libby Padfield – National Anthem
Best Family Group – Rancho Ruvalcaba y Familia
Best Church Group – SYV Presbyterian Church
Best Senior Group – Solvang Senior Center
Best Animal Group – Old Yeller Ranch Rescue
Best Wagon Group – Willow Creek Ranch Friends & Family
Best Wagon – Single – Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538
Best Automobile Group – Vaper Trail Vettes
Best Automobile – Single – Bobby Bruhn’s 1954 Corvette, Rick Torres State Farm Ins.
Best Automobile – Restored – Dan Hoagland’s 1958 Ford Skyliner Retractable Hardtop
Best Automobile – Antique – Floyd Keinath’s Model A Coupe
Best Automobile Antique Group – Model A Clubs of SYV & Santa Maria
Best Fire Engine – Engine 30 Solvang Fire Dept.
Best Tractor – Howard Marion’s 1950 John Deere
Best Equestrian Group – Hernandez Friesians
Best Equestrian – Single – Charros Los Caporales
Best Viking Ship – Vikings of Solvang
Best Cub Scout Troop Pack – Boy Scout Troop Pack 41
Best Color Guard – American Legion Post #160
Road Apple Crew – Lucky Clover 4-Hers Grace Morell, Tessa Haws, Valentina del Solar
Best Clown – Lompoc Shrine Club
Best Sport Group – SYVUHS Boys Water Polo Team
Best Military Group – American Legion Riders Dist 16
Best Walking Group – Friends of the Library of the SYV
Best Dancing Group – Garcia Dance Studio
Most Energetic – Figueroa Mtn Brewing Co.
Best Group for a Cause – Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
Best School Group – SYVUHS Robotics Club Mecha Pirates
Best Youth Group – Lucky Clover 4-H
Best Audience Participation – Veggie Rescue
