Summer in Solvang heats up with one of the city’s most popular parades, Solvang Rotary’s annual July 4th Parade (11:00 AM), and post-parade BBQ. Dozens upon dozens of parade entrants such as classic cars, prancing horses, dance troupes, drum lines, and brass sections travel along the July 4th Parade route as it winds its way through town traversing most of Solvang’s main thoroughfares. High school marching bands, motorcycle and car clubs, floats crafted by local businesses, and animated farm animal and pet entries put on their best patriotic display. As night falls, Santa Ynez Valley Rotary’s fireworks festival lights up the Solvang sky in a show based next to historic Old Mission Santa Inés.