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

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