sbrobert
By Robert Bernstein
If you can stand more photos and videos from Fiesta, I am offering some of my own. Starting with La Boheme performing in De La Guerra Plaza on opening night:
For the parade, our friend Pali suggested getting to the parade staging area near the Carriage Museum about an hour before the parade to catch the performers up close in person. He was correct! Spirit of Fiesta Tara Mata and Junior Spirit of Fiesta Layla Gocong were very kind to pose with us before their big performance.
I also caught this group posing together before the parade.
And these Ninos de Flores (Flower Girls) also posed for me.
Here are more of my pre-parade photos.
Now for a few of my many Parade photos! Starting with Saint Barbara Lynn Kirst:
Lots of horses in the parade, but there also seemed to be quite a few mules, unless I am mistaken?
Plenty of good old fashioned horses.
Here Father Larry and other Mission people waved to the crowd from the Mission float titled “Invincible Together”.
County Supervisor Das Williams also waved to the crowd.
Here La Boheme dancer and director Teresa Kuskey Nowak and Rick Oshay. waved from their fancy carriage.
I like how the Fiesta women horse riders drape their dresses so elegantly on the horses.
So many different types of horses. I am no expert, but this one is very shaggy!
Here are a few short video clips of La Presidente on her float, Fiesta Families, Mariachi, Garcia Studio Dancers and some horses and a small band.
The Chinelos performers are a representation of the Native people mocking the European immigrants. Here is my video of their performance in the parade.
As much as I enjoy all of these costumes, horses and performances, my favorite comes at the very end: The Santa Barbara Fire Fighters riding the wheel of their ancient pumper. This looks like quite a feat of strength and skill. I ran all the way from Castillo to State Street to catch them doing this feat several times. Here is my resulting video!
But one of my favorite photos came after the parade had passed and these Fiesta spectators posed for me.
Here you can see even more of my Fiesta parade and post-parade photos!
