Old Spanish Day
Source: Old Spanish Days
With historic parade carriages forming a picturesque backdrop, and flanked by members of the extended Old Spanish Days family, 2021 La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow revealed a full slate of Fiesta events for this coming year, sans parade and mercados, and announced the Fiesta 2021 theme “Honoring our Generations.”
Fiesta Pequeña, Noches de Ronda, Arts and Crafts Show, Rodeo, and a handful of traditional parties will be all part of Fiesta 2021, and all of the planning that has taken place includes the most current guidelines and protocols. Attendance and event size will be smaller to assure community safety, but Fiesta is returning.
“This is a great moment for Fiesta as we continue to move out of the recent restrictions,” said La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow. “For months, and even a full year, so many have worked so hard and in a creative way, to bring as much Fiesta to our community this year as possible.
“Fiesta means so much to everyone in our community, and it continues to be a strong economic boast for local businesses. Fiesta is tradition, history and culture. It includes everything that makes this community so special.”
In announcing the Fiesta 2021 theme, “Honoring our Generations,” La Presidenta Petlow said: “We are all where we are because of those who came before us and the paths they paved. It is our duty to make sure we pave positive paths for future generations. This year we celebrate all of the generations in our family, not just our own families, but the Santa Barbara families that have contributed to the beautiful foundation of the Fiesta spirit and continue to carry it on.”
In walking through the list of Fiesta events confirmed for 2021, La Primera Vice Presidente Maria Cabrera looked to the future in her comments to the attendees.
“When the City and County of Santa Barbara give us the go ahead, Old Spanish Days Fiesta is poised and ready to bring our historic parade up State Street again and to return the popular Mercados to both Plaza De La Guerra and Mackenzie Park,” said Cabrera. “The historic parade is such an important part of our community. Generations of families have enjoyed this equestrian parade. It represents so many aspects of our community, and we look forward to seeing this traditional, historic and long-time event move up State Street again.”
Between now and August, more Fiesta events will be announced.
cancel it all. if we can’t have solstice, we shouldn’t have any fiesta. aside of the bands at the DLG mercado, how many locals REALLY love fiesta? This was the time of the year that dad took us on vacations away from SB. I know of MANY other people that do the same. It’s more for the tourists and LA folks than us. Sure we can go and check it out and see a band. Guess what. We can do that any time. Guess what too….we can also get tacos and churros today or tomorrow. A beer too and a marg. We don’t really need fiesta to get those items or see a band and smell horse poop and watch drunk 20somethings fight each other. Yeah Fiesta…good times….