¡Viva la Fiesta!
For Santa Barbarans, Fiesta conjures all sorts of images: the nighttime performances of the Noches de Ronda at the Courthouse Sunken Gardens; El Desfile Historico, the country’s largest equestrian parade; the delicious Spanish and Mexican foods found at the mercados. Ultimately, what it is, though, is a way for the community to come together and honor the traditions of old Californio culture. While some things have changed throughout time, the essence of fiesta endures.
In this year’s special issue, you’ll find a complete schedule of events for the long weekend, everything you can expect to see in the parade, and the scoop on the spirits and El Presidente.
• Honorary Vaquero – Jim Gofourth
• Spirit of Fiesta – Daniela Zerme±o
• Junior Spirit – Talia Ortega Vestal
• El Presidente – Anthony Borgatello
