Fiestivities
Thu., Aug. 3
Courthouse Fiesta Tours: Free guided tours every half hour,
daily. 10am-3:30pm, 1100 Anacapa St.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo (Competencia de los
Vaqueros): Tri-County stock horse show brings in riders from the
tri-counties to compete in the Alisal Ranch horse class, Fiesta
Ranch horse class, buckaroo class, old-timers team roping, and
steer stopping at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. 7:30am, free.
La Misa del Presidente: El Presidente’s Mass at the Old Mission
followed by a garden reception. Fiesta attire encouraged. Open to
the public. 10am, free, call 682-4713.
El Mercado de la Guerra: Spanish and Mexican-American foods,
crafts, souvenirs, and live entertainment. De la Guerra Plaza
(across from City Hall). Thursday evening’s entertainment is
sponsored by Radio Bronco 1490 AM, and La Preciosa 94.5. Daily,
11am-11pm, free.
Casa Cantina: Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and
refreshments. For a fee, drop in, have a cold drink and relax.
(Free admission for members of S.B. Trust for Historic
Preservation.) Proceeds benefit continuing restoration of the
Casa — site of the first Fiesta — and El Presidio de Santa Barbara,
birthplace of Santa Barbara. Sponsored by KTYD 99.9. Held in the
courtyard of the Casa de la Guerra in De la Guerra Plaza,
noon-10pm.
El Mercado del Norte: Spanish and Mexican foods and beverages,
carnival rides and attractions, ice cold beer in the beer garden,
and daily entertainment featuring traditional Spanish dance
performances. Starting at 6:30pm, live country bands sponsored by
KRAZy Country. MacKenzie Park, corner of Las Positas and State.
Daily, 11am-11pm, free.
Celebración de los Dignatarios: Delicious appetizers and
delectable wines presented by local restaurants and wineries. $75,
in advance, $100 at the gate. Tickets are available at the
Arlington Ticket Agency, 963-4408. Located at the hilltop of the
Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, to greet the mayor, members of
the City Council, and other dignitaries, while dancing to the
exciting music of Soul City Survivors. Park at the Doubletree and
catch the Dignatarios shuttle in the parking lot. 5-9pm.
Professional Bull Riders Tour: The Professional Bull Riders
(PBR) Challenger Tour. The toughest sport ride on dirt returns with
an exciting competition. Earl Warren Showgrounds. 7:30pm. For
tickets, call 967-6331.
Las Noches de Ronda: “Nights of Gaiety,” a favorite Fiesta
tradition. Music, singing, fiery flamenco from Spain, vivid
folklórico dances from Mexico. Sunken Gardens at the County
Courthouse. Bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating. Food for
purchase available on the Courthouse lawn from Elements Restaurant.
8pm, free.
Fri., Aug. 4
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo (Competencia de los
Vaqueros): Tri-Counties junior riders compete in breakaway roping,
tie-down roping, team roping, and barrel racing. At noon, riders
compete in open stock horse, hackamore class eliminations, and
buckaroo class. 7:30am, Earl Warren Showgrounds, free.
Courthouse Fiesta Tours: Free guided tours every half hour,
daily. 10am-3:30pm, 1100 Anacapa St.
El Mercado de La Guerra: Spanish and Mexican-American foods,
crafts, souvenirs, and live entertainment. De la Guerra Plaza
(across from City Hall). Friday evening’s entertainment begins at
6:30pm, K-LITE 101.7 sponsors the Rick Reeves Band. Mercado: daily,
11am-11pm, free.
El Mercado del Norte: Spanish and Mexican foods and beverages,
carnival rides and attractions, ice cold beer in the beer garden,
and daily entertainment featuring traditional Spanish dance
performances. At 6:30pm. KRAZy 105.9 presents Country Night.
MacKenzie Park, corner of Las Positas and State. Daily, 11am-11pm,
free.
Casa Cantina: Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and
refreshments. For a fee, drop in, have a cold drink, and relax.
(Free admission for members of S.B. Trust for Historic
Preservation.) Proceeds benefit continuing restoration of the
Casa — site of the first Fiesta — and El Presidio de Santa Barbara,
birthplace of Santa Barbara. Sponsored by KTYD 99.9. Held in the
Courtyard of the Casa de la Guerra in De la Guerra Plaza,
noon-10pm.
El Desfile Histórico Parade: The Fiesta Historical Parade is one
of the largest equestrian parades in the United States. Parade
starts at the west end of Cabrillo Blvd., proceeds east along the
beach to State St., up State St. to Sola St. Noon, free. See March
of the Horses.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo (Competencia De Los
Vaqueros): Professional Rodeo Cowboy Assn. events include bareback
riding, tie-down roping, steer stopping, mutton bustin’, saddle
bronc riding, PRCA team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.
Sponsored by Tequila Cazadores. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 7:30pm,
call 967-6331 for tickets or visit the showground’s box office.
Flor y Canto: See the original Spanish California dances and
music of the 19th century. Unique songs are performed by local
residents as they would have been 150 years ago, including
authentic costumes. Bring a picnic dinner. Sunken Gardens Lawn,
7pm, free.
Las Noches de Ronda: A second evening of traditional Spanish
music, dancing and singing under the stars in the beautiful Sunken
Gardens at the County Court House. Bring chairs or blankets for
lawn seating. Food for purchase available on the Courthouse lawn
from Elements Restaurant. 8pm, free.
Our Lady Of Guadalupe Mercado: Homemade Mexican food, games,
live entertainment, and dancing. Corner of Montecito and Nopal
streets, noon-11pm.
Sat., Aug. 5
Annual Downtown Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast: Join your
friends and neighbors enjoying Fiesta music and costumed dancers
with a hearty breakfast to start your day. Sausage, coffee, milk,
orange juice, and all the pancakes you can eat. Alameda Park at
Sola and Santa Barbara streets. $6. Net proceeds go to Kiwanis
charities and youth activities. 7am-noon.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo (Competencia de Los
Vaqueros): Tri-Counties non-pro riders compete in amateur steer
stopping, team and tie-down roping and open Ranch Horse class. Earl
Warren Showgrounds. 7am, free.
El Desfile de los Niños: The charming Children’s Parade. Young
people of Santa Barbara, their parents, and other parade
participants don traditional costumes and celebrate the culture of
the area. Parade proceeds down State St., from Victoria to Ortega.
10am, free.
Courthouse Fiesta Tours: Free guided tours every half hour,
daily. 10am-3:30pm, 1100 Anacapa St.
Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show: A statewide gathering of artisans
and crafts people display a wide variety of paintings, carvings,
pottery, and other wares on Cabrillo Blvd., west from Stearns
Wharf. 10am-7pm.
El Mercado De la Guerra: Spanish and Mexican-American foods,
crafts, souvenirs, and live entertainment. De la Guerra Plaza
(across from City Hall). Saturday evening’s entertainment starts at
6:30pm and is sponsored by Restaurant Roy. Daily, 11am-11pm,
free.
Casa Cantina: Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and
refreshments. For a fee, drop in, have a cold drink and relax.
(Free admission for members of S.B. Trust for Historic
Preservation.) Proceeds benefit continuing restoration of the
Casa — site of the first Fiesta — and El Presidio de Santa Barbara,
birthplace of Santa Barbara. Sponsored by KTYD 99.9. Held in the
Courtyard of the Casa de la Guerra in De la Guerra Plaza,
noon-midnight.
El Mercado del Norte: Spanish and Mexican foods and beverages,
carnival rides, and attractions, ice cold beer, and daily
entertainment featuring traditional Spanish dance performances. At
6:30pm, evening’s entertainment begins, sponsored by KRUZ 97.5.
MacKenzie Park, corner of Las Positas and State. Daily, 11am-11pm,
free.
S.B. Maritime Museum Fiesta Tours: Learn about the relationship
of the harbor area to the Old Spanish Days. Docent-guided tours.
Free with admission. $7 adults; $3 seniors, students with ID and
youth; $2 children under 5 years old. Free for members and infants.
113 Harbor Way. 11:30am and 2pm.
Tardes de Ronda: Children’s variety show. With colorful
costumes, children from the area demonstrate their talents and
multicultural heritage. Sunken Gardens at the County Courthouse.
1:30-4pm, free.
La Musica Antigua de España: Features vocal and instrumental
music from old Spain, Mexico, and early California. 3pm, Trinity
Episcopal Church, free.
Las Noches de Ronda: Tonight is the final performance of
traditional Spanish music, dancing, and singing under the stars in
the beautiful Sunken Gardens at the County Courthouse. Bring chairs
or blankets for lawn seating. Food for purchase available on the
Courthouse lawn from Elements Restaurant. 8pm, free.
Mariachi Festival: This year marks the 11th anniversary of the
S.B. Mariachi Festival. Pre-mariachi entertainment starting at
4:30pm. Show starts at 6pm at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Entertainment
includes Beatriz Adriana and Mariachi Vargas. Tickets available at
the Santa Barbara Bowl or call 583-8700.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo (Competencia de Los
Vaqueros): Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association performs. Earl
Warren Showgrounds. 7:30pm.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado: Homemade Mexican food, games,
live entertainment, and dancing. Corner of Montecito and Nopal
streets. Noon-11pm.
Sun., Aug. 6
Fiesta Stock Horse Show: Riders compete in non-pro stock horse,
open and committee calf branding, and Team Penning Slack. Earl
Warren Showgrounds. 9am, free.
Misa de Acción de Gracias (Fiesta Mass of Thanksgiving): This
special Catholic Mass is celebrated at the descendant church of the
original Presidio Chapel to acknowledge its 200-plus years of
history in this community and its unique relationship with the
people of Santa Barbara. Spanish costumes encouraged. Garden
reception following Mass. Our Lady of Sorrows, Sola and Anacapa
streets. 9am.
Fiesta Family Farewell: All-day dance concert. Fiesta comes to a
poignant end with performances by the many dance troupes that have
been on stage all week. Plaza del Mar at Pershing Park,
10am-6pm.
The Carriage and Western Art Museum: Explore the Museum’s
collection of carriages, saddles, and other relics of the Old
Spanish Days in California. 129 Castillo St., 1-4pm, free,
962-2353.
Old Spanish Days Wine Tasting: Elements Restaurant and Catering
invites you to this outdoor celebration, tasting Santa Barbara
County’s finest wines and gourmet dishes. Music by the West Coast
Symphony. Courthouse Sunken Gardens, noon-3pm, $65. Call Arlington
Ticket Agency at 963-4408.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo (Competencia de Los
Vaqueros): Riders compete in bareback riding, tie-down roping,
steer stopping, team penning, mutton bustin’, and saddle bronco
riding, plus PRCA team roping, barrel-racing, and bull riding. Earl
Warren Showgrounds. 1:30pm.
Fiesta Concert: The West Coast Symphony Orchestra is conducted
by Christopher Story VI. This event is for all ages. Bring a lawn
chair and blanket. Courthouse Sunken Gardens. 2:30pm, free.
Fiesta Finale Performance: An elegant evening of professional
music and dance. State Street Ballet, opera, Latin music, and
flamenco. Patron seating available for attending the Fiesta Finale
Gala: tickets $200 each: cocktails, silent auction, dinner in the
Sunken Gardens, dancing, candlelit dessert. For full Sunday event
add: champagne brunch and art/estate tour $100. Tickets benefit
scholarship program. Call Arlington Ticket Agency at 963-4408. For
info, call 682-8184 or email mprofant@aol.com. 8-9:15pm, free.