Cowboy Up for a Fiesta Feud? 

The news came a few months ago that the annual Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo wasn’t taking place this year after a century of shows. Now comes word that there will actually be two such (competing) events over Fiesta weekend, August 1-3. Earl Warren Showgrounds, which previously hosted the Fiesta roundup, is presenting the unaffiliated Santa Barbara Rodeo Days, taking place Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3, 2025. The PRCA sanctioned event, previously just opening night, now lasts three days and features professional rodeo action and horsemanship, while adding a Fiesta-themed carnival (à la Fair & Expo), live entertainment, and more. 

Meanwhile, the traditional Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo is being held after all, but has shuffled off to Santa Ynez, where junior events and youth competitions, including roping pen, mutton busting and barrel racing, will be staged at the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center on Refugio Road. Visit https://earlwarren.com/events/santa-barbara-rodeo-days and https://sbfi
estarodeo.org, respectively, for details of the simultaneous offerings.  

Fiesta’s First Favorite 

The 17th annual Fiesta Ranchera brings the Old Spanish Days spirit to Goleta at the beautiful Rancho La Patera gardens, home of the Stow House, on Thursday, June 19, about six weeks prior to the big festival. The evening event attracts hundreds to the grounds in front of the Stow House to sample sumptuous appetizers, wine and beer from local establishments, before heading over to the spacious tree-lined gathering space for performances by the 2025 Spirit of Fiesta and Junior Spirit, guitarist Tony Ybarra and band, dancing ‘til way past dark to Area 51. 

Among this year’s providers of food and drink are Elubia’s Kitchen, Maíz Picante Taqueria, Geezy’s Q, Events By Rincon and Country Meat Market, plus Black Market Spirits, M Special, Third Window, JAJA Tequila, and High Seas Mead. Proceeds benefit both Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society, which operates Rancho La Patera.