Setting the tone for what turned out to be one of Santa Barbara’s most innovative Fiesta celebrations in memory, as Camilla Barnwell wrote in last week’s cover story, “Fiesta Flips the Script on the Cusp of 100th Anniversary,” “On the cusp of Fiesta’s 100th anniversary, the most hide-bound, traditionalist organization in town has given us our first male Spirit and our first openly gay Presidente.”
But that was just the beginning. The two parades, El Desfile Históricoand El Desfile de los Niños settled nicely into their new home along the waterfront, with revelers flocking to take in the ocean view festivities on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Also appreciative of the cool ocean breezes were patrons at the new El Mercado de la Playa, as the former Mercado del Norte moved from its longtime uptown MacKenzie Park location to the parking lot at Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium.
From left, Junior Spirit of Fiesta Olivia Nelson, El Presidente David Bolton, Primer Caballero Gonzalo Sarmiento, and Spirt of Fiesta Jack Harwood at La Fiesta Pequeña, August 2, 2023 | Photo by Ingrid Bostrom
In case you missed out on any of the festivities, here are links to the Independent’s Old Spanish Days coverage from this past week.
Fiesta 2023 Luminaries Get to Know This Year’s Fiesta Luminaries: El Presidente, the Spirits, Saint Barbara, and El Desfile Histórico Grand Marshal.
Old Mission Reception and Fiesta Pequeña Make for a Magical Evening 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.
Long live the party! We’ll be back next year to celebrate Fiesta’s 100th anniversary, in whatever new — and old — forms it may take.
‘El Desfile de los Niños’ (Old Spanish Days’ Children’s Parade), August 5, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
Young dancers | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom
Sofia Chicote at the Indy Hops party | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
Recreation and painting of Theodore Van Cina’s, “Fandango,” | Credit: Fritz Olenberger
Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto at La Fiesta Pequeña, August 2, 2023 | Photo by Ingrid Bostrom
Santa Barbara Independent cover, from left, Amanda Cuevas, Isabella
Ricci, Jack Harwood, Eve Flores, and Ashlyn McCollum.
Photo by Ingrid Bostrom. Design by Xavier Pereyra.
La Fiesta Pequeña, August 2, 2023 | Photo by Ingrid Bostrom
Twirling dancers dazzle at Las Noches de Ronda. | Credit: Fritz Olenberger
Saint Barbara Lisa Osborn | Photo: Ken Pfeiffer
La Fiesta Pequeña, August 2, 2023 | Photo by Ingrid Bostrom
La Fiesta Pequeña, August 2, 2023 | Photo by Ingrid Bostrom
La Fiesta Pequeña, August 2, 2023 | Photo by Ingrid Bostrom
El Desfile Histórico, Santa Barbara, August 4, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
Old Spanish Days Fiesta SB Digs at the Santa Barbara Zoo, August 3, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
Old Spanish Days Fiesta SB Digs at the Santa Barbara Zoo, August 3, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
Old Spanish Days Fiesta SB Digs at the Santa Barbara Zoo, August 3, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
El Desfile Histórico, Santa Barbara, August 4, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
El Desfile Histórico, Santa Barbara, August 4, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
El Desfile Histórico, Santa Barbara, August 4, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
El Desfile Histórico, Santa Barbara, August 4, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
El Desfile Histórico, Santa Barbara, August 4, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
El Desfile Histórico, Santa Barbara, August 4, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
‘El Desfile de los Niños’ (Old Spanish Days’ Children’s Parade), August 5, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
‘El Desfile de los Niños’ (Old Spanish Days’ Children’s Parade), August 5, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
‘El Desfile de los Niños’ (Old Spanish Days’ Children’s Parade), August 5, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
‘El Desfile de los Niños’ (Old Spanish Days’ Children’s Parade), August 5, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
‘El Desfile de los Niños’ (Old Spanish Days’ Children’s Parade), August 5, 2023 | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom