Fiesta Pequeña kicked off Fiesta 2023 with a spectacular show of dance and song on the breathtakingly beautiful stage of the Old Mission Santa Barbara, lit up in all its splendor. Prior to the show, Old Mission SB hosted a lovely reception in its idyllic Sacred Garden for 175 VIPs and supporters of the Mission and of Old Spanish Days of SB, the nonprofit that puts on Fiesta. The highlight of that event, hands down, was Father Larry Gosselin OFM joyfully singing “La Bamba” and “Twist and Shout” with the Traveling Hurtados.
On the way to their seats in front of the Old Mission for Fiesta Pequeña, the 750 guests with reserved seating were exuberantly greeted by Los Niños de las Flores, Los Jovencitos, and Las Señoritas. These colorfully attired youth, the ambassadors of Fiesta, formed two long lines between which each guest passed, while the youth collectively chanted “Viva la Fiesta,” and handed out long-stem roses.
As co-emcee with KEYT’s Beth Farnsworth, Fr. Larry welcomed guests, declaring that there is nothing more beautiful than this evening. “Fiesta is about dancing and celebration,” he related, “but it is also about an outpouring of love.” He bid guests to“feel the love that is Fiesta” and join hands with those next to them for the blessing.