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America 250

Stars & Stripes, Santa Maria Style!

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.

America 250 Graphics

$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

Patriotic Yard Decorating Contest

Dust off your flags, string up your lights, and unleash your patriotic spirit to honor America's 250th! Whether you go for classic Americana or a dazzling, creative display, we want to see how Santa Maria celebrates this historic milestone.

  • How to Enter: Submitting your yard is quick and easy—just fill out our online entry form [Link Here] with a photo of your display.

  • How to Win: A panel of judges will evaluate the entries to select the top three standouts. The winners will be announced live at the July 3rd Downtown Fridays event and featured across our social media channels.

Show your neighbors what community spirit looks like and enter today!

Submit Your Entry

Downtown Fridays Patriotic Celebration

Community Events Calendar