Congratulations to the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club for putting on another memorable Goleta Old Town Holiday Parade! It took approximately 80 volunteers and well over 1,000 volunteer hours to pull off this festive event this past Saturday night, December 6th. About 2,000 people lined Hollister Avenue on this beautiful evening and were entertained by 78 parade entries with 1,400 participants.

Mr. James Marchiando was honored as the parade Grand Marshal. Mr. Marchiando proudly drove his 19594-30 John Deere tractor, pulling a 20-foot trailer carrying several of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren – celebrating four generations of local family heritage.

The City of Goleta was pleased to participate once again this year. Thank you to the Goleta Valley Historical Society (Rancho La Patera & Stow House) for inviting the Goleta City Council and their family members to ride in the parade on its vintage wagon. The Goleta Valley Library Bookvan also cruised the parade route as did Goleta staff with a www.GoodLandGoodShopping.com banner to promote shopping local this holiday season. Watch our video clip wishing you a Happy Holidays.

Thank you to Cycling without Age for providing trishaws to transport Santa Barbara County Supervisors Laura Capps (Chair and 2^nd District), Supervisor Joan Hartmann (3^rd District) and Supervisor Roy Lee (1^st District). Trishaw pilot Steve Morris was paired with Chair Capps and Supervisor Lee while trishaw pilot Ed Schroeder was paired with Supervisor Hartmann, her daughter and grandson.  

A highlight this year was the return of the City’s Window Decorating contest for businesses located along the parade route. The City wants to know who you think is the best for the People’s Choice Award. We encourage you to go to our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and X) and check out photos of the window fronts. You can also view all the photos online here. Comment on your favorite or send an email to PIO@CityofGoleta.org by midnight tomorrow, December 9^th. Thanks to Fuel Depot for providing fuel gift cards and car washes to the winners who will be announced Wednesday, December 10^th. The City will be deciding the winners of the other categories - check out our social media (@cityofgoleta) to find out who won! 

Thank you to everyone who participated and attended the Holiday Parade and who also joined in the Window Decorating Contest. Thank you for helping to spread joy to our community this holiday season.

Parade photos:

Group photo at the Holiday Parade

Council in vintage Goleta Valley Historical Society wagon

City staff walking in the Parade with our Happy Holidays banner

Staff Volunteers looking festive

Bookvan

Supervisors Laura Capps and Roy Lee in a Cycling Without Age trishaw with pilot Steve Morris (Photo Credit: Tere Jurado and Rey Peñalosa)

Supervisor Joan Hartmann with her daughter and grandson in a Cycling Without Age trishaw with pilot Ed Schroeder

Lions Club parade volunteers

Goleta Police