SYV Pride in Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country

New Santa Barbara County nonprofit, SYV Pride (www.SYVPride.org), has plans in place for the first Pride celebration to grace the Santa Ynez Valley’s various wine country towns, a multi-day event to be held Wednesday through Sunday, June 22-26, 2022. The newly-formed SYV Pride organization is a safe, supportive and empowering home for the local LGBTQIA+ community in the Santa Ynez Valley, with a mission to achieve equality, justice and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities through education and the celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture.

Scheduled for the inaugural SYV Pride week is a Wednesday, June 22 Welcome Party at Solvang’s Dana V. Wines tasting room and outdoor patio (4:00 PM), to include a DJ, drag queens, cabaret by Billy Hurbaugh, wine specials, and food available for purchase from Solvang restaurant, peasants FEAST. On Saturday, June 25, the SYV Pride Parade (11:00 AM) will roll through downtown Solvang with floats, a Pride march, music, and more, ending with Pride Fest in the center of town, in Solvang Park (12:00 PM to 5:00 PM; corner of Mission Drive and First Street). Festival attendees should expect a family-friendly afternoon complete with beats by DJ Keelez, who will open for Area 51; a play area, kiddie bumper cars, and bounce houses; a beer garden sponsored by Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.; food vendors such as Rudy’s Fresh Mexican Food and The Doggy Door hot dogs; and an inspirational lineup of special guests and speakers.

Sunday, June 26 will bring an all-ages-welcome Drag Brunch to Solvang’s newest eatery, bar and entertainment venue, Corque Crafthouse & Kitchen, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Featured, will be a brunch buffet with mimosas and bloody marys, a drag show, and auction.

The June 2022 SYV Pride celebration is open to the public with ticketed and non-ticketed events. Event updates will be posted to the SYV Pride website (www.SYVPride.org), and Instagram and Facebook feeds: @SYV.Pride and facebook.com/SYVPride.

In addition to the official 2022 SYV Pride events, local businesses will be hosting Pride happenings with a portion of proceeds benefitting the SYV Pride organization and efforts. The legendary Maverick Saloon in the town of Santa Ynez will host “Gayraoke” every Tuesday evening throughout the month of June; Solvang’s 1525 Taps and Sports will host a “Dodgers Pride Night” on June 3; and Carhartt Family Wines will host “Sip & Slay” on June 24. (Other ancillary SYV Pride event programming, TBA.)

SYV Pride is sponsored in part by Ramsey Asphalt Construction and Sorensen & Associates (Premier Sponsors), and Visit the Santa Ynez Valley (Commemorative Sponsor).