2009 Fiesta Listings
It’s coming! Fiesta, that is, Santa Barbara’s biggest summer bash. This year’s celebration promises to be as fun-filled as ever with myriad events including mercados, flamenco dancing, music, stock horse shows, and parades. Although it officially kicks off on August 5, there are plenty of things to do during the run-up to Fiesta. So, dust off your Old Spanish Days garb and fill your pockets with cascarones and, of course, ¡viva la fiesta!
Sat., Aug. 1
El Fandango Dinner/Dance
Dinner and dancing sponsored by the Santa Barbara/Puerto Vallarta sister cities. Chow down and listen to tunes by Family Sound. Fiesta costumes encouraged.
5:30pm-midnight. Mulligan’s Cafe (at Santa Barbara Golf Course), 3500 McCaw Ave. 682-3228. $65 per person.
Flower Girls’ Garden Party
The Flower Girls, who march in Friday’s parade and Saturday’s children’s parade and participate at Fiesta Peque±a, will receive their annual badges from El Presidente Anthony Borgatello and Prima Dama Betty Borgatello.
10am-noon. Sunken Gardens, S.B. County Courthouse, Anacapa and Anapamu sts. Free.
Sun., Aug. 2
Recepci³n del Presidente
Join El Presidente Anthony Borgatello. Enjoy a bountiful Mexican buffet, hear the amazing Mariachi Mexicanismo, see performances by the 2009 Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta, and dance the night away.
5-10pm. DoubleTree Resort’s Plaza del Sol, 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. $65 in advance, $80 at the door. Call 962-8101 or email info@oldspanishdays-fiesta.org.
Mon., Aug. 3
Fiesta at Paseo Nuevo
Fiesta dance and musical performances.
Aug. 3-6, noon-2:15pm; Aug. 5-6, 2:30-4:30pm; Aug. 7-8, 12:30-3pm. State and De la Guerra sts. Free.
Tue., Aug. 4
Fiesta at Paseo Nuevo
Fiesta dance and musical performances.
Aug. 3-6, noon-2:15pm; Aug. 5-6, 2:30-4:30pm; Aug. 7-8, 12:30-3pm. State and De la Guerra sts. Free.
Wed., Aug. 5
Casa Cantina
A Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and margaritas at the historic Casa de la Guerra. All proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.
Noon-midnight. Courtyard of Casa de la Guerra in De la Guerra Plaza, 9 E. De la Guerra St.
Court House Fiesta Tours
Guided tours of the Moorish-Spanish building. Meet in the Mural Room.
10am-3:30pm, every half hour. Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Anacapa and Anapamu sts. Free.
Fiesta at La Cumbre Plaza
Enjoy flamenco dancing performed by the Linda Vega Dance Studio.
4:45-7pm. Near Macy’s, State St. and La Cumbre Rd. Free.
Fiesta at Paseo Nuevo
Fiesta dance and musical performances.
Aug. 3-6, noon-2:15pm; Aug. 5-6, 2:30-4:30pm; Aug. 7-8, 12:30-3pm. State and De la Guerra sts. Free.
La Fiesta Peque±a
The Little Fiesta officially opens Old Spanish Days on the steps of Santa Barbara’s historic Old Mission. This event features Fiesta’s traditional songs and dances: tunes of the Californios, flamenco, Spanish classical, and Mexican folkl³rico dances. Food is available for purchase from local vendors. Sponsored by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
8pm. Old Mission. Free.
El Mercado de la Guerra
Feast on Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment all day and into the evening with children’s shows, Spanish and Mexican folk dancing, and music.
Wed.-Sat., Aug. 5-8, 11am-11pm. De la Guerra Plaza (across from City Hall), 9 E. De la Guerra St. Free.
El Mercado del Norte
Selection of Spanish-Mexican foods and beverages. Carnival rides for the kids and the new Fiesta Crazy Horse Cantina for icy cold beer, margaritas, and live entertainment in the evening.
Wed.-Sat., Aug. 5-8, 11am-11pm. MacKenzie Park, State St. and Las Positas Rd. Free.
Thu., Aug. 6
Casa Cantina
A Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and margaritas at the historic Casa de la Guerra. All proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.
Noon-midnight. Courtyard of Casa de la Guerra in De la Guerra Plaza, 9 E. De la Guerra St.
Celebraci³n de los Dignatarios
Enjoy appetizers and wines presented by area restaurants and wineries. Dance to the exciting sounds of Soul City Survivors.
5-10pm. Park at the DoubleTree and catch the Dignatarios shuttle in the parking lot. $85 per person in advance; $100 at the gate. Tickets available online brownpapertickets.com/event/70512; at participating Albertsons, or at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Drink tickets can be purchased on site.
Fiesta at La Cumbre Plaza
Enjoy flamenco dancing performed by the Linda Vega Dance Studio.
4:45-7pm. Near Macy’s, State St. and La Cumbre Rd. Free.
Fiesta at Paseo Nuevo
Fiesta dance and musical performances.
Aug. 3-6, noon-2:15pm; Aug. 5-6, 2:30-4:30pm; Aug. 7-8, 12:30-3pm. State and De la Guerra sts. Free.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo
Fiesta Tri-County Stock Horse Show brings in riders from the tri counties to compete in the Alisal Ranch Horse Class, Fiesta Ranch Horse Class, Old Timers Team Roping, and Steer Stopping.
Thu.-Sun., Aug. 6-9, 8am. Earl Warren Showgrounds, Calle Real at Las Positas Rd. Free.
El Mercado de la Guerra
Feast on Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment all day and into the evening with children’s shows, Spanish and Mexican folk dancing, and music.
Wed.-Sat., Aug. 5-8, 11am-11pm. De la Guerra Plaza (across from City Hall), 9 E. De la Guerra St. Free.
El Mercado del Norte
Selection of Spanish-Mexican foods and beverages. Carnival rides for the kids and the new Fiesta Crazy Horse Cantina for icy cold beer, margaritas, and live entertainment in the evening.
Wed.-Sat., Aug. 5-8, 11am-11pm. MacKenzie Park, State St. and Las Positas Rd. Free.
La Misa del Presidente
El Presidente’s Mass at the Old Mission, followed by a garden reception. Fiesta attire encouraged.
10am. Old Mission. Open to the public. Free. For info, call 682-4713.
Las Noches de Ronda (Nights of Gaiety)
A favorite Fiesta tradition. A variety show of music, singing, flamenco from Spain, and folkl³rico dances from many regions of Mexico. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating under the stars.
8pm. Sunken Gardens, S.B. County Courthouse, Anacapa and Anapamu sts. Free.
Professional Bull Riders Challenger Tour
The nation’s top riders compete in bull roping.
7:30pm. Earl Warren Showgrounds, Calle Real at Las Positas Rd. Box seats, $80 or $65 each; general admission seats, $45 or $30 each. First come, first served. Tickets and info available at Jedlicka’s (687-0747) and Earl Warren Showgrounds (967-6331).
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For more info, visit oldspanishdays-fiesta.org or call 962-8101.
