Fiesta Primavera Party Honors Santa Barbara Heroes

Celebrating Santa Barbara by honoring local heroes is the focus of this year’s Old Spanish Days-Fiesta’s Primavera kick-off celebration Saturday, May 21, 2011. The annual favorite takes place at the Carriage and Western Arts Museum, 129 Castillo Street. The cocktail hour begins at 5:00 pm, and at 6:00 p.m. La Presidenta Joanne Funari will unveil the Official 2011 Fiesta Poster and Pin. “Not only will we be honoring our tradition of revealing the annual poster and pin, but we are also honoring local heroes who keep us safe during small and large disasters of all types,” said Ms. Funari. “My theme ‘Celebrate Santa Barbara’ honors the beautiful area we live in, and also honors the brave women and men who serve and protect us, risking their lives during, fires, floods and other crises.”

Tables for the event are available at the discounted price of $500 for a table of ten up until May 9th, after which the price will be $550, or $55 per person in advance, $65 at the door. “We encourage you to purchase a table and fill it with your friends, or, invite our heroes to join you at this special event,” says Ms. Funari. “You’ll enjoy a gourmet dinner catered by Pascucci as well as dancing to the sounds of Soul City Survivors. This party is the perfect way to get ready for Fiesta – wear your fiesta costume or western dress and have some fun!” For ticket information and pre-event purchases, call 962-8101.

Other pre-fiesta events include Fiesta Ranchera at Goleta’s Stow House July 14th, a Flower Girls Garden party July 30th in the Sunken Gardens of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and La Recepción de la Presidenta Sunday July 30th at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort. Fiesta Week has its formal opening Wednesday August 3, 2011 at Fiesta Pequeña on the steps of the Old Mission.