Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People (PHP) invites the community to join in a Hispanic Heritage celebration at Solvang Park at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 15.

“The community celebration marks the conclusion of National Hispanic Heritage Month which spans from September 15 through October 15 and pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced our lives. We are delighted to welcome the community and tourists alike to the heart of Solvang for a full evening of festivities. We are grateful the City of Solvang is donating the use of park.” said Adriana Reyes, Inclusion Program Coordinator of Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People. 

In collaboration with the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School students and teachers, the committee has curated a family friendly evening including the Santa Ynez High School Jazz band, salsa dance lessons by Maggie Johnson, dance performance by the Pirate Dance Club, interactive games for all ages, Día de Los Muertos face painting and a piñata for the children. The evening will culminate with a musical concert featuring Banda Invasora and Banda La Colonial.

To learn more about People Helping People, its programs and services for our communities, visit www.syvphp.org or call 805-686-0295.  

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Hundreds of people gathered at Solvang Park on June 19 to enjoy music, food and dancing during Santa Ynez Valley’s second annual Juneteenth celebration presented by Madi’s Treasure Box. It was one of Solvang’s first public events after COVID-19 restrictions were removed across the state earlier in the week.

The holiday celebrates the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news of freedom for enslaved people on June 19, 1865, marking the true end to slavery, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

This year marks 156 years since that day. 

Juneteenth was recently officially recognized as a federal holiday with a bill President Joe Biden signed into law on June 17.

“For us, Juneteenth, in which Black citizens were freed, finally, is one of joy, jubilation, family, friendship, good food, good music,” said Vashti Wilson, CEO of Madi’s Treasure Box. “We look at it as a time that we’re able to celebrate each other and love without fear of reprisal or fear of abandonment or fear of being taken away from our loved ones.”

Madi’s Treasure Box, created by now 9-year-old Madison Wilson and her mother Vashti, is a nonprofit organization raising money to send packages — Madi’s Treasure Boxes — to schools, foster care centers, hospitals and libraries with multicultural art supplies and diverse books in order for all children to see themselves represented.

Madison even created her own line of World Changer multicultural crayons that were released last November with several skin, hair and eye colors.

“At this point, [Madison] has raised almost $100,000,” Vashti Wilson said. “She has partnered with numerous nonprofits. They are actually guiding her to not only donate all of these resources to schools, libraries and hospitals, but also to implement ongoing training that will allow people to successfully integrate multicultural tools into their classrooms.”

The event featured performances and demonstrations of maculele stick dance and capoeira martial arts from the Brazilian Cultural Arts Center of Santa Barbara, as well as performances by the Afro-Brazilian Banda Alegria Geral, featuring Mariano Silva, and the Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band.

Capoeira is a martial art form that is a mixture of fighting, dancing and music, developed by enslaved people in Brazil to disguise the fact they were practicing fighting techniques.

Today, capoeira is still practiced as a game, sport or art to learn about the Brazilian tradition and culture.

Guests danced along with the music, enjoyed catered Southern-style meals and dessert from High on the Hog, and relaxed on the sunny park lawn. 

Wilson said that High on the Hog provided the catering as a donation for the Juneteenth event.

A lemonade stand and a face painting and glitter tattoo booth were also available to children during the event.

Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People also sponsored the Juneteenth celebration and Wilson said that People Helping People also covered the costs for the event.

“Without any reservation, [People Helping People] said ‘how much do you need?’ and they footed the bill because they thought it was integral to the community to have this,” Vashti Wilson said.

Adriana Reyes, who has recently been named People Helping People’s first diversity, equity and inclusion program director, discussed the importance of Juneteenth and how the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion program is working to diversify school’s curriculums and create a safe space for everyone despite differences.

“[Juneteenth] was not taught to me during school or high school. This has to change,” Reyes said. “Our history, the good along with the bad, must be recognized and must be taught to our children … We celebrate Juneteenth not just by being with family and friends but by telling our stories and pursuing true validity and justice in all that is owed.”

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Local Juneteenth Santa Ynez Valley celebration returns to Solvang on from 4 – 7 p.m. in Saturday, June 19, in Solvang Park. The second annual event, presented by non-profit organization Madi’s Treasure Box Inc., is sponsored by High on the Hog Catering and People Helping People.

“June 19th marks the 158th anniversary of the true end of slavery.  It is a day to celebrate, promote awareness, and move forward towards lasting change, says CEO of Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People, Valerie Kissell. “We are pleased to be a sponsor of this wonderful community event.”

CEO of Madi’s Treasure Box and Air Force Combat Veteran, Vashti Wilson launched the first Juneteenth Santa Ynez Valley in 2020 when her daughter asked why there were no Juneteenth celebrations locally. Wilson explains the importance of the holiday: “Juneteenth is not just Black History; it’s American History. The day commemorates freedom and triumph for our ancestors and is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together in jubilation and remembrance.”

Entertainment for the event will be presented by the Brazilian Cultural Arts Center of Santa Barbara featuring Afro-Brazilian Troupe Banda Alegria with a Maculele (Stick Dance) and Capoeira. The band includes lead and backup vocals, keyboard, guitarist and 5 drummers playing high-energy African Brazilian music. Their colorful costumes and captivating performances integrate dance and music to get the crowd moving. In addition to a performance of a Maculele, or Stick Dance, Banda Alegria will present a dance of liberation called Capoeira with a special performance by Master Mariano Silva. Developed by the enslaved people from Africa who were brought to Brazil, Capoeira was used to gain skills to fight for freedom. Today, the dance is still a tool for transformation, building strength, confidence and community. The Juneteenth demonstrations include music, dance and audience participation.

Attendance to the event is free with optional dinner available from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. by pre-ordering from High on the Hog Catering. Meals available for purchase include: Juneteenth Southern Plate, Vegetarian Plate, & Southern Desserts. To preorder your meal, visit http://bit.ly/JuneteenthSYV.

The City of Solvang will be presenting a proclamation to Madi’s Treasure Box Inc. and sponsors, People Helping People and High on the Hog Catering, on Monday, June 14, 2021 in recognition of Juneteenth Santa Ynez Valley. Mayor Charlie Uhrig says of the event: “It is important for all of us to remember our nation’s history, the good and bad, so we don’t continue to make the same mistakes. On Juneteenth, we honor the freedoms long overdue, and afforded to the enslaved African-American citizens by President Abraham Lincoln, with the writing and final delivery of the Emancipation Proclamation. But let us not forget that even today we have not finished that work. As a nation and as the Santa Ynez Valley, we need to continually remind ourselves that all are entitled to the same rights and freedoms. So, in order to honor all Americans, past, present, and future, regardless of ethnicity, color, religion, or orientation, let us pledge together to treat others with the dignity and respect we desire for ourselves.”

The Solvang celebration was originally conceived by now 9-year-old, Madi Wilson, creator of Madi’s Treasure Box. She says simply: “I want all my friends to know that this holiday matters. I hope I get to say thank you in person for all of their support”. For more information about the Juneteenth event, visit https://juneteenthsyv.eventbrite.com or email juneteenthsyv@gmail.com.

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Solvang Music in the Park is back starting on June 23, as concerts will be held weekly from 5 – 8 p.m on Wednesdays in Solvang Park.

Echoswitch, a hard rock band, will be the first band to play for Solvang Music in the Park. Echoswitch is a local favorite and counts Solvang Mayor Charlie Uhrig as part of its lineup. The next band to play will be Livewire, another local rock band.

“Year after year Music in the Park has brought the community together and has provided Santa Ynez Valley residents, both young and old, with a fun way to enjoy long summer evenings,” said Tracy Beard, Executive Director for the Solvang Chamber of Commerce.

Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and invite friends! You can bring your own food or you can enjoy a tasty meal from one of Solvang’s excellent restaurants. Most bars and tasting rooms will be serving alcoholic beverages in closed containers which are welcome at Solvang Park. Come join us at Solvang Music in the Park!

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John Ormand and his family decided to turn a bad situation into a good one after a sign in his yard was vandalized. He didn’t realize just how many people were wanting to join in and was pleasantly surprised when more than 200 people showed up to the Unity SYV: Rally for Inclusion Oct. 18 at Solvang Park. 

“We had a sign in our yard vandalized and we were really shaken that someone would go to those lengths to destroy our property,” Ormand said. “I am not new to acts like this, but my wife and daughter have never experienced anything like it, and we decided to do something about it.”

More than 200 people showed up to the Unity SYV: Rally for Inclusion on Oct. 18 in Solvang Park. The event was put together by a group of friends who wanted to make their voices heard for more tolerance and inclusion.
Photo contributed

Together with a few friends and neighbors like Sarah Gonzalez and Jessy Verkler, they decided to put their energy into something positive and hopefully their rally is not the first, but rather the reason to spark conversation and understanding. 

The rally was an opportunity for people to come together and talk about all sorts of difficult topics such as diversity, racism and inclusion, and how people in the Santa Ynez Valley can unite to make the area a better place. 

Speakers included Pastor Chris Brown of Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang, Rev. Randall Day of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church and Rav Debi Lewis from the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community. 

“I choose inclusion, I choose tolerance, I choose unity,” Lewis said at the rally. “I want you to look around at the children here and what are you going to tell them you were doing in this time, in this place? They are watching.” 

Event goers were excited to also have a surprise live performance by Grammy-winning singer Pink, (Alecia Moore) who lives in the valley. 

“We are different here in the valley,” Gonzalez said. “There really is this little bubble that keeps us safe for the most part from hard topics and issues such as these, but we aren’t immune, and we shouldn’t look the other way when incidents happen.” 

She added this event was not about politics, but rather how we can put aside differences and understand we all have different stories to tell. 

“The past few months have been hard on everyone for many reasons whether it’s from COVID-19 and all of its affects like distance learning, depression, job loss to conversations of race.” Gonzalez added. “We just wanted to make our presence known that we call our community to recognize we are all one, and should be inclusive of everyone.” 

Several kids from the Santa Ynez Valley did a Call to Action, asking for better examples of inclusion and tolerance.
Photo contributed

The poignant moments for Gonzalez and Ormand were that the kids stood up and did a Call To Action, asking the community to be better examples of what community is. 

“My kids are darker skinned and we have had those hard conversations in our house that no one should be judged because of what they look like or where they come from,” Gonzalez added. 

She said with the plethora of negative news that is divisive, people should actively seek out good stories like valley local Vashti Wilson and her daughter Madison who are creating a line of multicultural crayons. (See our Oct. 20 cover story at www.santaynezvalleystar.com). 

“People like Vashti and Madison are really changing the world and doing something great,” Gonzalez said. “We should be celebrating what makes us different and understand that sometimes growth comes from the sticky parts and hard conversations.” 

While there aren’t any dates set for another inclusion rally, Gonzalez said they are working to do more in the future and they want to highlight several groups in the valley that are starting the work like Inclusion SYV and the SYV Community Action Alliance and businesses like ONEderChild in Solvang that promote diversity with a selection of books that are geared for all ages. 

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Memorial Day weekend we remember and honor all Service men and women who gave their lives to protect us, our freedom, and way of life during all wars from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

On Saturday, May 25, crosses and VFW medallions will be placed on veterans’ graves at the Santa Ines Mission, Chalk Hill, Oak Hill, and Saint Mark’s cemeteries. 

At Oak Hill more than 900 veteran graves will be decorated starting at 9 a.m..  The public is invited to view or assist this solemn observance. 

VFW Post 7139 members will hand out red poppies at the front of Albertson’s in Buellton from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 25-26.  The red poppies were first distributed after World War I to honor the service men and women who perished in that war. 

On Memorial Day, May 27, American Legion Post 160 will conduct short ceremonies at 10 a.m. in Chalk Hill, 10:30 a.m. in Santa Ines Mission, 11 a.m. in Oak Hill, and 11:30 a.m. in Saint Mark’s cemeteries. 

VFW Post 7139 will conduct a hallowed VFW Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Solvang Park Flag Pole.  The ceremony will honor all veterans and their families, but especially those who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. The ceremony will include The Santa Ynez High School Band under the direction of Les Rose; Vandenberg Senior Officer and VFW/American Legion Post Speakers; Boy Scouts; and Flat Fender Club vintage military vehicles. 

The Memorial Day remembrance includes a 229-year span in some 60 military actions that claimed 1.4 million lives. Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens be aware of, and recall on special occasions the deaths of their fellow countrymen during and after wartime.All Valley veterans, residents, and their families are invited to come and join in these solemn events.  This information can be seen at the website www.syvalleyvets.org.

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The Solvang City Council voted 3-2 on July 23 to eliminate parking on the south side of Mission Drive from Nykobing to Pine Street to increase pedestrian safety and allow for the addition of a bike lane on each side of Mission Drive.

In total, 24 parallel parking spaces will be eliminated from Mission Drive through downtown Solvang from west of Fifth Street to east of Mission Santa Ines.

Some council members, most emphatically Joan Jamieson, have been calling for the elimination of all parallel parking on Mission Drive to increase safety.

In 2015, after a Mission Drive traffic study was completed, Jamieson voted to eliminate parking on the south side from Park Way to First Street, but Councilman Neill Zimmerman and Mayor Jim Richardson’s “no” votes prevented it from happening at that time.

During the July meeting, both Councilwomen Karen Waite and Jamieson mentioned the need for increased safety and the continued danger of people walking out between cars into the crosswalks along Mission Drive.

Councilmember Ryan Toussaint was hopeful that eliminating some of the parking on Mission would lighten traffic somewhat and discourage people from using residential streets as bypasses, which has been a continuing complaint from residents.

Both Zimmerman and Richardson voted against the resolution. Zimmerman, though against removing any parking on Mission Drive, said he would compromise but preferred eliminating parking on the north side of Mission rather than the south. Richardson said that eliminating parking would not guarantee more safety and he was hesitant to change the main road’s layout.

However, the potential for a bike lane on the city’s main road with parking on only one side seemed to be an added bonus for some council members.

“I’m pleasantly surprised by this report,” said Karen Waite, who has been outspoken about her desire to see Solvang become a more “bike friendly” city.

Public Works Director Matt van der Linden said that the removal of the south side parking should be more than sufficient to allow for a bike lane’s required width. The findings of the 2015 traffic study gave two alternatives that would allow for such a bike lane, and both options eliminated just some of Mission Drive’s parking spaces.

The city will now move forward with acquiring approval from Caltrans to paint the south Mission Drive curbs red and with engineering plans necessary for the permits required for the bike lane once they confirm that the street will have the required width. If approved by Caltrans, the bike lane would cost approximately $60,000.

Mike Hecker, who spoke during the meeting as a representative of Santa Ynez Valley Spoke, said a bike lane will both encourage bike tourism and increase bike and pedestrian safety on Mission Drive.

“It’s going to be a good, positive change,” Hecker said after the meeting.

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With a theme of “A Danish Tradition,” Solvang will sparkle again during the 2017 annual Julefest from Dec. 1 through Jan. 5.

Julefest (pronounced Yule-Fest) will feature free visits with Santa in Solvang Park; “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” weekends; wine and beer walks; the traditional community tree-lighting ceremony; the Julefest Parade and community Nativity Pageant.

There will also be open houses at local retailers, special concerts and more taking place throughout the season — with activities continually being announced in the coming weeks and updated at www.SolvangUSA.com/things-to-do/solvang-julefest.

Throughout Solvang, more than 150 one-of-a-kind boutiques and specialty shops will offer everything from clogs to Danish porcelain to handmade lace, leather, iron art, jewelry, clothing, elegant antiques and collectibles, beautiful imported objects, vibrant arts and crafts, and colorful home furnishings. Toy and novelty stores offer playful options for stocking stuffers and kids of all ages.

Santa will be in Solvang for free visits and photos ops for the whole family, according to Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau Special Programs Manager Daniel Lahr,

“We’re thrilled to welcome Santa Claus, also known as Julemanden (The Christmas Man) in Danish, to Solvang Park at the corner of Mission Drive and First Street again this year,” he said.

Families are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture the moments with the children and Santa during these days and times:

• Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, from 4 – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

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4 p.m.: Free Concert at the Solvang Park Gazebo, Mission Drive and First Street (The Ruben Lee Dalton Band).

4 p.m.: Chainsaw Carver George Kenny will begin carving his wooden creations on Friday afternoon; spectators will be able to view the progress of his work throughout the weekend.

5 – 10 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden – Outdoor beer and wine garden; supports the Solvang Danish Days Foundation. Continues on Saturday. (Guests must be 21 or older to enter.)

7:30 p.m.: Torchlight Parade – Free for participants, all ages welcome, candles provided. Route begins at Alisal Road and Laurel Avenue, strolling south down Alisal and ending at the Midgaard Pavilion Stage (in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden).

8 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies in Solvang Park introducing 2017 Danish Maid Gabrielle Heron. Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music, and a short story narrated by Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen.

Saturday, Sept. 16 

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street; $7 per person ($8 with Danish sausage). Tickets available on-line in advance, or at the event entrance. Aebleskiver Breakfast also featured on Sunday, same times.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Kid’s Korner featuring LEGO and a supervised play and rest area in Solvang Park. Kid’s Korner also featured on Sunday, same times.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Viking Encampment – Visit the Ravens of Odin, a Norse educational group, as they bring Viking times to life through historical re-enactments. Features a Viking Age weaponry demonstration on Saturday. Viking Encampment also featured on Sunday, same times.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.elverhoj.org). Free, interactive activities for all ages, plus artisans, craftspeople and storytellers. Living History Festival also featured on Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

11 a.m. – 10:30 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 enter.)

11:30 a.m.: Free Aebleskiver Eating Contest – Corner of Copenhagen Drive and First Street. All ages welcome for this five-minute competition. Contest also featured on Sunday, same time.

1 p.m. – Danish Days Organ Concert – World-renowned concert organist James Welch is “Bach” to entertain guests with the “lighter side” of the organ in his Danish Days concert featuring a mix of lively tunes from across the centuries, folk melodies, and hits from Baroque to Broadway. Don’t miss this year’s concert on the Phelps pipe organ at Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Road (suggested $5 donation for concert).

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, between Molle Way and Oak Street; parade begins by turning east on Copenhagen Drive, then north on Alisal Road, west on Mission Drive, south on Fourth Place, east on Copenhagen, south on Second Street, finishes at corner of Oak Street near Solvang City Hall. No charge to participate in the parade; applications are available at www.solvangdanishdays.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DDS-Parade-app-2017.pdf.

5 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Free Concerts featuring live music on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome; varied music genres. Bands and set times to be announced.

Sunday, Sept. 17

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street, $7 per person ($8 with Danish sausage). Advance tickets available at solvang-danish-days-2017.eventbrite.com.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Kid’s Korner featuring LEGO and a supervised play and rest area in Solvang Park.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Viking Encampment – Visit the Ravens of Odin, a Norse educational group, as they bring Viking times to life through historical re-enactments.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.elverhoj.org). Free, interactive activities for all ages, plus artisans, craftspeople and storytellers.

11:30 a.m.: Free Aebleskiver Eating Contest – Corner of Copenhagen Drive and First Street. All ages welcome for this five-minute competition.

2 p.m.: Children’s 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; no charge to participate, and costumes are encouraged.

2:45 p.m.: Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park. Danish Maid Gabrielle Heron closes the festive weekend; free concert to follow (band to be announced).

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