What’s On for Fiesta 2014

Old Spanish Days Hottest Events

<b>PAGEANTRY AND SONG:</b> The Old Mission steps come alive each year with traditional dance and song — from Mexican folklórico to Californio crooning — during Fiesta Pequeña (pictured, 2011), which kicks off Old Spanish Days.

THU., JULY 31

Competencia de los Vaqueros (Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo)

Tri-County riders compete in the Alisal Ranch Horse Class, Fiesta Ranch Horse Class, Old Timers Team Roping, and Steer Stopping. 8am. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real at Las Positas Rd. Free. Info: 967-6331 or sbfiestarodeo.com.

La Misa del Presidente

A nondenominational prayer service at the Old Mission followed by a garden reception. Open to the public. Fiesta attire encouraged. 10am. Free. Old Mission, 2201 Laguna St. Info: 682-4713.

Courthouse Fiesta Tours

Guided tours (every half hour) of the Moorish-Spanish building. Meet in the Mural Room. 10am-3pm. Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Anacapa and Anapamu sts. Free. For info, call 962-6464.

Santa Barbara Mission Tours

Come explore this beautiful landmark during special docent-led tours. Thu.: 11am, 1:30pm, and 3pm. S.B. Mission, 2201 Laguna St. For more info and cost, call the Mission at 682-4713.

El Mercado de la Guerra

Feast on Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment, including Spanish and Mexican folk dancing, children’s events, and music. (Daily) 11am-11pm. De la Guerra Plaza (across from City Hall). Free.

El Mercado del Norte

Enjoy a selection of Spanish-Mexican foods and beverages, including icy cold beer margaritas at the Crazy Horse Cantina, as well as carnival rides for the kids and live entertainment in the evening. (Daily) 11am-11pm. MacKenzie Park, State St. and Las Positas Rd. Free.

Casa Cantina

The annual Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and margaritas at Casa de la Guerra. All proceeds benefit the S.B. Trust for Historic Preservation. Noon-midnight. Casa de la Guerra Courtyard, 15 E. De la Guerra St. Info and tickets: 965-0093.

Celebración de los Dignatarios

Appetizers and wines by area restaurants and wineries. Meet local dignitaries; listen to live music. 5-10pm. S.B. Zoo, 500 Niños Dr. Tickets: $85 (advance); $100 (door). Tickets: 962-5339 or [nightout.com/events/celebracin-de-los-dignatarios or sbzoo.org.] brownpapertickets.com/event/258550.

Professional Bull Riders Challenger Tour

Nation’s top riders compete in bull roping. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real at Las Positas Rd. Tickets: Box seats $80 and $65 each; general admission seats $40 (adult) or $25 (under 11). 7:45pm. Tickets and info: Jedlicka’s, 687-0747; Showgrounds, 967-6331; and sbfiestarodeo.com.

Las Noches de Ronda (Nights of Gaiety)

A variety show of music, singing, flamenco, and folklórico dances from many regions of Mexico. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating. 8pm. S.B. County Courthouse Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa St. Free.

<b>UNDER THE STARS:</b> Each Old Spanish Days, the Courthouse lawn fills with revelers who come out to enjoy <i>Las Noches de Ronda</i> (Nights of Gaiety), an evening of music, flamenco, and folklórico dancing from various regions of Mexico.

FRI., AUG. 1

Competencia de los Vaqueros (Stock Horse Show & Rodeo)

• Junior Tri-County riders compete in Breakaway Roping, Tie-down Roping, Team Roping, and Barrel Racing. Riders compete in the Non-Pro Stock Horse Class and Buckaroo Class, plus eliminations for the Open Stock Horse and Hackamore Classes. 7am and noon. Free. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real at Las Positas Rd.

• Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association events, including Bareback Riding, Tie -own Roping, Steer Stopping, Mutton Bustin’, Saddle Bronco Riding, PRCA Team Roping, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding. Tickets: Box seats (sold out); general admission, $20 (adults), $10 (kids 11 and under). 7:30pm. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real at Las Positas Rd. Tickets and info: TKJedlicka’s, 687-0747; Earl Warren Showgrounds, 967-6331 and sbfiestarodeo.com.

Courthouse Fiesta Tours

Guided tours (every half hour) of the Moorish-Spanish building. Meet in the Mural Room. 10am-3pm. Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Anacapa and Anapamu sts. Free. For info, call 962-6464.

Santa Barbara Mission Tours

Come explore this beautiful landmark during special docent-led tours. Fri.: 11am, 1:30pm, and 3pm. S.B. Mission, 2201 Laguna St. For more info and cost, call the Mission at 682-4713.

<b>A TASTE OF MEXICO:</b> One of the most popular Fiesta destinations, <i>Our Lady of Guadalupe</i> fêtes patrons with homemade, authentic Mexican food, games, and live entertainment.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado

Homemade authentic Mexican food, games, live entertainment, and dancing. 11am-9pm. Corner of Montecito and Nopal sts. Free.

El Mercado de la Guerra

El Mercado del Norte

Casa Cantina

El Desfile Histórico Parade

One of the largest equestrian parades in the U.S. The parade starts at the west end of Cabrillo Blvd., proceeds east along the beach to State St., and then up State St. to Sola St. Start time is noon. Free. Reserved seats, $15. Info: 962-8101.

Flor y Canto

Original Spanish California dances and songs of the 19th century, with musical accompaniment on replica acoustic instruments performed by S.B. residents much as they would have been 150 years ago. 7pm, S.B. County Courthouse, Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa St. Free.

Las Noches de Ronda (Nights of Gaiety)

SAT., AUG. 2

Kiwanis Fiesta Pancake Breakfast

Now in its sixth decade, this event typically serves more than 4,000 people. All proceeds go to supporting activities that benefit children in south Santa Barbara County. 7am-12 noon. Alameda Park, Santa Barbara and Sola sts. $7. Tickets and info: 967-1860 or kiwanisclubofsantabarbara.org.

Competencia de los Vaqueros (Stock Horse Show & Rodeo)

• Tri-County riders compete in Tie-down Roping, Team Roping, Open Ranch Class, and Steer Stopping. Riders compete in the Non-Pro Stock Horse Class and Buckaroo Class, plus eliminations for the Open Stock Horse and Hackamore Classes. 8am and noon. Free.

• Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association events, including Bareback Riding, Tie-down Roping, Steer Stopping, Mutton Bustin’, Saddle Bronco Riding, PRCA Team Roping, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding. Tickets: Box seats (sold out); general admission, $20 (adults), $10 (kids 11 and under). 7:30pm. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real at Las Positas Rd. Tickets and info: TKJedlicka’s, 687-0747; Earl Warren Showgrounds, 967-6331; and sbfiestarodeo.com.

El Desfile de los Niños

83rd Annual Children’s Parade includes kids, parents, and other participants in traditional costumes. Parade goes down State St., from Victoria to Ortega sts. Ice cream for parade participants. 10am. Free. Info: 897-1982.

Courthouse Fiesta Tours

Guided tours (every half hour) of the Moorish-Spanish building. Meet in the Mural Room. 10am-3pm. Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Anacapa and Anapamu sts. Free. For info, call 962-6464.

Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show

Artisans and craftspeople display a variety of paintings, carvings, pottery, and other handcrafted wares. 10am-7pm. Cabrillo Blvd., west of Stearns Wharf. Free.

Santa Barbara Mission Tours

Come explore this beautiful landmark during special docent-led tours. Sat.: 10:30am and 1:30pm. S.B. Mission, 2201 Laguna St. For more info and cost, call the Mission at 682-4713.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado

Homemade authentic Mexican food, games, live entertainment, and dancing. 11am-9pm. Corner of Montecito and Nopal sts. Free.

El Mercado de la Guerra

El Mercado del Norte

Casa Cantina

Tardes de Ronda

Variety show in which Santa Barbara kids demonstrate their talents and multicultural heritage.1-5pm, S.B. County Courthouse Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa St. Free.

Mariachi Festival

Music by Las Colibri, Mariachi Garibaldi, Mariachi Perla Jalisciense, Omar Arreola, Graciela Beltran, Mariachi Los Campero de Nati Cano. 5:30pm, S.B. Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St. Tickets and info: 962-7411, sbbowl.com.

Las Noches de Ronda (Nights of Gaiety)

<b>COWBOYS AND HORSEMEN:</b> Horse riders descend on Earl Warren Showgrounds during the Fiesta celebration to compete in the Stock Horse Show & Rodeo. Hometown glory bull-wrangling champ Luke Branquinho showed his grit at 2012’s Old Spanish Days.

SUN., AUG. 3

Competencia de los Vaqueros (Stock Horse Show & Rodeo)

• Tri-County riders compete in Open Calf Branding, Team Penning Slack, and Cow Dog Trials. 7am and noon. Free.

• Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association awards: Junior All-Around Awards, Kay Dent Memorial Buckle Award, Dave Osburn Memorial Buckle Award. Tickets: Box seats, $25 and $30; general admission, $15 (adults), $10 (kids 11 and under). 2pm. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real at Las Positas Rd. Tickets and info: TKJedlicka’s, 687-0747; Showgrounds, 967-6331 and sbfiestarodeo.com.

Courthouse Fiesta Tours

Guided tours (every half hour) of the Moorish-Spanish building. Meet in the Mural Room. 10am-3pm. S.B. County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa St. Free. Info: 962-6464.

Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show

Artisans and craftspeople display a variety of paintings, carvings, pottery, and other handcrafted wares. 10am-6pm, Cabrillo Blvd., west of Stearns Wharf. Free.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado

Homemade authentic Mexican food, games, live entertainment, and dancing. 11am-9pm. Corner of Montecito and Nopal sts. Free.

West Coast Symphony Fiesta Concert

Classical music conducted by Christopher Story VI. 3:30pm. S.B. County Courthouse Sunken Gardens. Free.

Fiesta Finale Gala

An evening of music, dinner, and dance. Sponsored by the Profant Foundation for the Arts, the black-tie event features flamenco singer and composer Jesus Montoya, who will perform with Ricardo Chavez’s Flamenco Troupe; a firey tango from ballroom dancer Yulia Maluta and her partner; songs performed by Broadway baritone Robert Patteri; and the legendary pianist Gil Rosas. Artist Entera will sketch costumed patrons throughout the evening. During cocktail hour, folks can take in an exhibit of photos and memorabilia, along with rare film footage of Santa Barbara in the 1930s and ’40s.There will also be hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet dinner. 5:30-10pm. El Paseo Restaurant, 813 Anacapa St. For ticket price and reservations: 682-8184, profant.org.