Check Out Video Recap and Photo Album
More than 400 people enjoyed the #BestDamDinner they ever had at beautiful Lake Los Carneros in Goleta on Saturday, August 17, 2024. The sun was shining bright, and the lake was full and beautiful. The dinner went from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. allowing people to come and go, or for many, to stay and enjoy the event the entire time.
As always, people had fun capturing the moment by taking a photo with a Dam Dinner frame. Put a smile on your face by watching our video recap of the event and checking out the photo album.
Mayor Paula Perotte said, “It was a wonderful and well attended event. It was so great to see everyone smiling and laughing and enjoying the beautiful setting and live music.”
Whether they brought their own picnic dinner or purchased food, attendees found a spot at the long community table decorated with yellow and blue checkered tablecloths. It was a warm evening, and over 300 attendees enjoyed shaved ice courtesy of Kona Ice. For the second year, the City placed reusable cutlery sets at each seat at the table to promote the City’s Plastic Free ordinance. Another highlight this year was moving the live music to a decorative shaded structure down by the lake where everyone could see. A big thanks to long-time musician Nate Latta who entertained the Dam Dinner guests during the event and did a great job!
Thanks to everyone who took time to attend the event, including our Goleta City Council, Assemblymember Gregg Hart and Santa Barbara County Supervisors Joan Hartmann and Laura Capps who shared lemon bars with guests.
Despite the simplicity of this event, it would not have been possible without the collaboration of some key partners. A big thanks to the Goleta Valley Historical Society for partnering with the City of Goleta again to put on the event. A special thanks to Pete Wolf with Big Hammer Lures for helping to plan, set up and clean-up the event, and for creating the yearly Dam Dinner t-shirts once again.
We also want to express our appreciation to Fuel Depot for donating succulents for the tables and to the Devereux Greenhouse Group for creating and delivering the arrangements to the event for all to enjoy and for some to take home as well. Thanks to Creekside Restaurant and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce for sharing their tablecloths and to the Water Store for donating water to keep everyone hydrated. As always, thanks to MarBorg for donating the bathrooms, handwashing stations, and trash and recycle bins.
We appreciate everyone who is a part of making this event so memorable each year. We are already looking forward to the 2025 Dam Dinner and hope to see you there.
Event photos by Rob Hoffman
Pictured above: Elected officials [Pictured left-to-right: Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes-Martín (1st District), Assemblymember Gregg Hart, Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann (3rd District), Councilmember James Kyriaco (2nd District) and Mayor Paula Perotte]
Group photo of event
Attendees with Dam Dinner photo frames
Musician Nate Latta performing
Face painting (photo courtesy of Kelly Hoover)