Edhat Staff
Photos: Fritz Olenberger
By edhat staff
Community West Bank hosted a private gathering at their Santa Barbara location on Monday evening to honor Old Spanish Days.
The corner of Micheltorena and State Street was transformed into a mini Fiesta hub as guests were treated to a tasty taco bar spread including a few varieties of flavored chicken wings. Night Lizard Brewing and Carr Winery served up some of their local offerings and frozen margarita machines were the cherry on top for beverage options.
Mariachi music and dance performances from the Spirits of Fiesta were the highlights. Sophia Cordero, Spirit of Fiesta, and Paloma Valenzuela, Jr. Spirit of Fiesta, showcased their dances that will be featured during the festival.
Old Spanish Days board members and supporters cheered to the countdown for the upcoming Fiesta festival.
The next celebration takes place on Sunday, July 28 with La Reception del Presidente at the Hilton Beachfront Resort. Tickets can be purchased here. The Old Spanish Days Festival begins on July 31 and goes through August 4. More information is available at oldspanishdays-fiesta.org
I was born here in Santa Barbara and grew up here. I never liked Fiesta since I was a kid growing up during the 60’s to this very day. My mom, who was born in the state of Durango, Mexico, came here in 1952 , and she too hated Fiesta. Her friends would drag us out every year for Fiesta. She didn’t want to be rude towards them and she told me we have to go them, and would tell me she knew how I felt about it and she felt same, but that we couldn’t be rude towards them. (Go ahead and vote my comment out. But throughout the years I have met many locals who hate Fiesta. They either stay at home or they leave town for Fiesta week.)
For the life of me I cannot understand why this sort of private party is given “news” status. Are we to envy those who were invited? Or is this some sort of quid pro quo publicity for the commercial institution that paid for the event. In my neighborhood there will be several “Fiesta Parties” as an excuse to get drunk and eat and act funny…will Edhat keep a running tab on these “honor” events?