Old Spanish Days Details Changes for 2023 Fiesta Events

By Bonnie Carroll

It was a spirited gathering Monday morning on the steps of the Santa Barbara City Hall where 2023 El Presidente David Bolton, joined by Mayor Randy Rowse, announced the detailed plans for the upcoming Old Spanish Days Fiesta 2023.

“Fiesta means so much more than merely a party — it’s about celebrating, it’s about family, friends, neighbors and colleagues,” said Bolton during his morning announcement, where the steps of Santa Barbara City Hall was covered with a red carpet and board members, dignitaries, past El Presidentes. Fiesta performers joined together to share the exciting theme for this year’s Fiesta, along with a bevy of positive event changes our residents and friends of Fiesta may expect for 2023.

“Our organization, the City of Santa Barbara, and our collaborating partners endeavor throughout each year to ensure a safe and memorable Fiesta,” said Bolton. “We are looking forward to yet another great and memorable 2023 Fiesta.

We are very pleased to announce our continuing partnership with Old Spanish Days,” said Mayor Randy Rowse. “Old Spanish Days represents our most honored and treasured tradition. The dancers, food, music, horses, costumes, and crowds make this community a unique national event that visitors from around the world and proud area residents look forward to.

The revered historical history of Cabrillo Boulevard makes it the perfect stretch for this community parade, not only an important historic area to the Chumash, but latter it was the route of Spaniard Gaspar de Portola in 1769, and a beautiful stretch named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo whose ship the San Salvador traveled through our channel in 1542.

According to Fiesta officials the Friday historic parade, El Desfile Historico, will return to Cabrillo Boulevard with an extended route from Cabrillo to Milpas; a full Mercado and carnival that has been given the green light to return to its historic roots at the beach, as well as additional traditional events. Our favorite events including Fiesta Pequena, Rodeo, Noches de Ronda are all confirmed for this year’s Fiesta 2023.

The Mercado De La Guerra in downtown will featuring Spanish and Mexican-American food, vendors and entertainment in the hub of the city providing a platform for area businesses and local non-profits to generate important operating revenue. Live musical entertainment and shopping for crafts and souvenirs are what make it such a special place to showcase our local non-profits and businesses who reside in Santa Barbara. For 2023 a full size replica of Cabrillo’s ship The San Salvador will visit our harbor during Fiesta weekend, offering tours o the community. The ship is traveling from its home at the  San Diego Maritime Museum for this special Fiesta visit—a collaboration between Old Spanish Days and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

Also continuing to be free events to the public are 2023 Fiesta Pequena on the steps of the Old Mission, and Noches de Ronda offering three evenings at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Garden. Along with music and dancers of all ages Fiesta 2023 will also include an arts and crafts show, the Fiesta Rodeo, and various dancing performances. Additional programs of interest include La Primavera on May 13 at El Paseo Restaurant, Goleta’s Fiesta Ranchera, Dignitarios at the Zoo, and La Reception del Presidents.

Fiesta will be held August 2-6, with additional events beginning in April. All events are open to the public—something that is very important to Old Spanish Days. All of this is possible thanks to Fiesta sponsors and collaborative partners who are committed to the 99-year tradition that has been recognized in past times as the largest horse parade in the world by tourists, writers, and photographers who travel to experience its uniqueness.
Spirit of Fiesta audition on Saturday, April 15 at the historic Lobero Theatre will be the Kick-off for Fiesta 2023. Tickets will be on sale at the Lobero box office beginning March 8. For additional information about Fiesta 2023, to purchase tickets, or to sign up as a Fiesta volunteer, please visit www.sbfiesta.org and let’s Fiesta!

By Old Spanish Days

Plans have come together nicely for Fiesta 2023, with all of the traditional events confirmed and with one event returning to its historic roots.

Officials of Old Spanish Days and the City of Santa Barbara gathered on the steps of City Hall to announce detailed plans for Fiesta 2023, as well as unveil the theme for our community’s beloved summer festival.

‘Let’s Fiesta’ has been chosen by El Presidente David Bolton as this year’s Fiesta theme.

“Fiesta means so much more than merely a party — it’s about celebrating, it’s about family, friends, neighbors and colleagues,” said El Presidente Bolton in making the theme announcement. “Fiesta is so special and so unique to Santa Barbara. We come together every year as a community to celebrate our history, traditions and culture. Throughout this year, ‘Let’s Fiesta’!”

Looking ahead to Fiesta 2023, officials announced that the Friday historic parade, El Desfile Histórico, will return to Cabrillo Boulevard with a longer route from Castillo Street to Milpas; a full Mercado and carnival has been given the green light to return to its historic roots at the beach; and all other traditional events, from Fiesta Pequeña to the Rodeo to Noches de Ronda, are confirmed for Fiesta 2023.

“Our organization, the City and our collaborative partners work very hard year-round to pull off a safe and memorable Fiesta,” said El Presidente Bolton. “We are looking forward to a great 2023 Fiesta.”

Since 1924, the City has played a key role in the success of this community’s Fiesta. 

“The City of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce our continuing partnership with Old Spanish Days,” said Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse. “Old Spanish Days brings our city our most time-honored and treasured tradition — Fiesta. The dancers, food, music and crowds make this celebration the largest community party of the year. Let’s Fiesta!”

Old Spanish Days officials also recognized the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Goleta for their tremendous collaboration and support of Fiesta.

Regarding the Friday parade, everyone is excited to have El Desfile Histórico return to Cabrillo Boulevard, according to Division Chief of Pageantry Tony Miller.

“Cabrillo Boulevard is one of our most historic stretches,” he said. “It was an important area for the Chumash, later Spaniard Gaspar de Portola traveled along the route during his 1769 overland trek, and the Boulevard is named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo whose ship the San Salvador came through our channel in 1542.”

As part of this year’s Fiesta, Old Spanish Days officials also announced that a full size replica of Cabrillo’s ship the San Salvador will visit our harbor during Fiesta weekend 2023 offering tours to the community. The ship is traveling from its home at the San Diego Maritime Museum for this special Fiesta visit — a collaboration between Old Spanish Days and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

More exciting news this year for Fiesta is the City giving the green light for the return of the Fiesta carnival and a full Mercado and beer garden to the area near SBCC’s La Playa Stadium. Historically, the carnival was first held there, before moving to MacKenzie Park as part of Mercado del Norte which began in 1979.

Now, and new this year, the City is allowing the rebranded Mercado de la Playa to run Thursday-Sunday providing a great venue for a Sunday afternoon of Fiesta.

“This is fantastic news for our community, and for families and others who enjoy spending a Sunday afternoon together,” said El Presidente Bolton. “Throughout the logistical meetings to bring a full Mercado and carnival back to the beach area, city officials showed a tremendous commitment to the community and to Fiesta history.”

Also in the plans for Fiesta 2023 is the return of Mercado De La Guerra in the heart of downtown. Featuring food, vendors and entertainment, this venue remains the popular downtown hub during Fiesta week, and provides a platform for area businesses and local non-profits to generate important operating revenue.

“The Fiesta Mercados are a special gathering place where the community can come together and feast on Spanish and Mexican-American food, enjoy live entertainment, and also shop for crafts & souvenirs,” said Division Chief of Marketplaces Andrea Caplan. “What makes it so special is supporting the numerous local non-profits, restaurants and talented musicians that reside in our jewel of a city.”

Further, as part of Fiesta 2023, two long-time, free-to the-public Fiesta entertainment events also return in a big way: Fiesta Pequeña providing a Wednesday evening of entertainment on the steps of the Old Mission, and Noches de Ronda offering its three evenings at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Garden.

“Music and dance are celebrated with passion throughout Santa Barbara during Fiesta week, capturing the heart and soul of Santa Barbara traditions,” said Patricia Oreña, Division Chief of Dance & Entertainment. “Fiesta brings together musicians and dancers of all ages to showcase their talents for everyone to enjoy and admire.”

Fiesta 2023 will also include an arts and crafts show, the Fiesta Rodeo, and a variety of dance shows and great networking celebrations including La Primavera on May 13 at El Paseo Restaurant, Goleta’s Fiesta Ranchera, Dignatarios at the Zoo, and La Recepción del Presidente.

“Fiesta means bringing our Community together with family, friends and others to celebrate our heritage, enjoy the dancing, food and lots of happiness together,” said Janice Howell, Division Chief of Celebrations.

Fiesta 2023 will be held August 2-6, with additional events beginning in April. The year kicks off with the Spirit of Fiesta Audition on Saturday, April 15 at the historic Lobero Theatre, the organizers of Santa Barbara’s first Fiesta in 1924. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 8 via the Lobero box office.

With multiple free public venues, and a throng of tourists flocking to our beachside community supporting the festival and local businesses, pulling together this community’s Fiesta is a team effort.

“You can imagine the logistics and public assistance needed to pull off Fiesta in a single week in August,” said El Primer Vice Presidente Brian Schwabecher who is in charge of overall operations “Our organization requires thousands upon thousands of volunteer hours and we are always open to new volunteers to help at one or many of our celebrations. Fiesta is a community effort.”

All of the Fiesta events are open to the public — something that is very important to Old Spanish Days.

“This is made possible thanks to our sponsors and collaborative partners who are committed to the 99-year tradition that has been recognized as Santa Barbara’s number one annual event, ” said El Segundo Vice Presidente Fritz Olenberger.

“Fiesta sponsors represent a variety of businesses who share the love for our community and who join us in celebrating our rich history and culture. We love dance. We love music. We love food. We love Fiesta. Fiesta is part of the fabric of our amazing city.”

For more information about Fiesta 2023, to purchase tickets, or to sign up as a Fiesta volunteer, please visit www.sbfiesta.org. Let’s Fiesta!