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Copy of America 250 Picture Bar (1300 x 300 px)

Get ready to celebrate, Santa Maria! In honor of America’s historic 250th anniversary, the City of Santa Maria, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, Downtown Fridays, and our incredible community partners are thrilled to present "Stars and Stripes, Santa Maria Style." We are bringing our community together all summer long with a lineup of patriotic programs designed to showcase our local pride. Dive into our Community Calendar to find local patriotic events throughout June and July, show off your civic pride in our Home Yard Decorating Contest, or nominate your favorite local nonprofit for a chance to win a $250 Giveaway. It all leads up to a spectacular culminating celebration during Downtown Fridays on July 3rd, featuring an unforgettable, patriotic drone light show!

Explore below to find all the details on how you can participate, win, and celebrate with us.

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$250 Nonprofit Giveaway

The Santa Barbara Foundation is proud to celebrate 250 years of America by inspiring generosity and community impact through a special raffle giveaway benefiting Santa Maria Valley nonprofits. Ten raffle winners will each receive the opportunity to direct a $250 charitable gift to a nonprofit organization of their choice. Please use this form to nominate a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the Santa Maria Valley and share why their work inspires you. Each form submitted equals one raffle entry. There is no cost to enter. Ten (10 ) winners will be announced at the July 3rd Downtown Friday's event after which a $250 gift will be made in each winner's name by the Santa Barbara Foundation to the nonprofit they nominated.
Through this raffle, we hope to encourage philanthropy in our community while highlighting the important work local nonprofits do every day.
Submit Your Nomination
America 250 (1)

Downtown Fridays Patriotic Celebration & Community Drone Show

When: Friday, July 3rd | Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Drone Show to follow!)

Join us for a special milestone celebration as we honor America’s 250th anniversary right here at Downtown Fridays! Alongside all your favorite weekly food trucks, local vendors, and family fun, we have a fantastic main stage lineup to keep the energy high all night long.

Bring your patriotic spirit and the whole family for an unforgettable evening!

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making the community drone show possible:

  • Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538
  • Santa Maria Elks Recreation
  • Santa Maria McDonalds
  • Childcare Resource and Referral
  • Alexandra & Paul Allen
  • Jason Stilwell
  • City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks
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Main Stage Schedule

  • 5:30 PM – Event Kicks Off! Explore the market, grab some food, and find your spot by the stage.

  • 5:45 PM – 6:00 PM | Santa Maria Cheer Team Kickstarting the night with high-energy routines! Special thanks to Maya for Sponsors the Cheer Team performance.

  • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Orcutt Jazz Band Enjoy smooth, local jazz sounds to set the evening mood. Proudly sponsored by New Life Bath and Painting.

  • 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM | America250 Ceremony Join the Mayor and local leaders at the stage for a special commemorative ceremony honoring this historic national milestone.

  • 7:20 PM – 8:30 PM | ECO Band (Bilingual Performance) Get ready to dance! ECO Band takes us home with a dynamic, two-part set: English hits from 7:20 to 8:00 PM, followed by a Spanish set from 8:00 to 8:30 PM.

  • 8:30 PM | Grand Finale: Drone Light Show! Look up! As the main event wraps up, stick around for a spectacular, high-tech drone light show illuminating the night sky in celebration of America250.

Admission is FREE! Come early to grab a great spot and celebrate our community, culture, and history.

America 250 Community Events Calendar

Saturday, June 27, 2026: America 250 Celebration at Hancock College

  • Location: Boyd Hall, Hancock College

  • Schedule of Events:

    • 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM: Barbershop Harmony Chorus

    • 5:45 PM – 6:00 PM: Intermission & Stage Set-up

    • 6:00 PM – 6:35 PM: Folklorico

    • 6:40 PM – 7:00 PM: Jazz Band

  • Contact: Monica Millard, Allan Hancock College monica.millard@hancockcollege.edu


June 28, 2026: What Matters to Local YOUth?: Presentation of Results from 2024 All About YOUth-Santa Maria Roundtable Listening Sessions

  • Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  • Location: Santa Maria Public Library - Shepard Hall (421 S McClelland St, Santa Maria, CA)

  • Organization: All About YOUth-Santa Maria-Lompoc

  • Contact: Lata Murti (latamurti@gmail.com | 1-805-767-9376)

July 4, 2026: 250 Fun in the Sun 4th of July Celebration

  • Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Hosted by: City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department

  • Location: Elks Baseball Field & Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center (600 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, CA 93454)

  • Event Info: City Website

  • Contact: Karen Ramos (kramos@cityofsantamaria.org | 1-805-925-0951)


November 11, 2026: Veterans Day 250

  • Time: 10:00 AM

  • Hosted by: Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce

  • Location: Freedom Monument / Veterans Memorial (600 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria)

  • Website: Chamber Event Page

  • Contact: Dave Cross (dave@santamaria.com)