La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow (center) and El Segundo Vice Presidente David Bolton (in red shirt). | Credit: Lily Mae Lazarus

At 5:12 p.m. on the day before La Fiesta Pequeña launched the 2021 Old Spanish Days celebration, El Segundo Vice Presidente David Bolton sent an email that briefly stated that Pequeña, set for Wednesday evening on the steps of the Old Mission, was canceled “to any public viewing.” Bolton noted the Noches de Ronda, or nightly dances at the courthouse, were also canceled.

He believed DIGS!, Thursday’s Celebración de los Dignatarios at the Santa Barbara Zoo, and “Horsemen,” apparently referring to Friday’s Horsemen’s Rendezvous at The Carriage and Western Art Museum, would continue. The zoo event was for ticket holders, and the Horsemen event was a private one.

[Update] The Tardes de Ronda and Flor y Canto events are also canceled, Bolton has confirmed. The rodeo and arts and crafts festival are currently still scheduled.

Bolton indicated Public Health had made suggestions, but that the decision to cancel was made by the Old Spanish Days committee to “play things safe.”

Many noted Pequeña’s dress rehearsal was held this evening. Bolton stated they planned to film the dances on Wednesday and iterated that the public was asked not to congregate at the Mission on Wednesday.

This story will be updated as information becomes available.

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