Firing up for, and Figuring out, Fiesta

Time was that many Montecitans were among those notorious for avoiding downtown during the first week of August, eschewing Fiesta altogether, which maybe happened once the celebration stopped having events in Montecito back in the 1980s. Now, Fiesta is making a foray directly back into the village, with a pre-festival event on Coast Village Road on July 30, as detailed in our cover story last issue. 

You’re perhaps planning on checking that out and then wondering how to get a bit more immersed in the full Old Spanish Days celebration that runs August 5-8, as admittedly the schedule can get a bit crowded. Indeed, the best way to Fiesta (the verb form) depends on your goals. If it’s partying – and live pop music that may not always speak to the Old Spanish Days theme per se – head to De La Guerra Plaza every evening Wednesday-Saturday, where the likes of Doublewide Kings, Spencer the Gardener, and many other local favorites feature as headliners. For classier and kid-free dining, dancing and drinking outdoors as afternoon turns into night, there’s always DIGS at the Santa Barbara Zoo (formerly, and perhaps still more formally, known as Dignatarios). The rare not-free-but-all-inclusive event features small bites from numerous local restaurants and caterers, margaritas and other mixed drinks, local breweries and wineries, plus dancing on a portable floor on the Zoo’s iconic hilltop with ocean view. 

Dancing is also a huge part of Fiesta, with studios and professional companies from Santa Barbara and far beyond coming together at several events, many at some of the most stunning and historic sites in town. La Fiesta Pequeña is the 99-year-old traditional opening night of the annual celebration, with the “Queen of the Missions” hosting a truly colorful, historical program that includes traditional songs and dance from Californios Spirit. Blankets and/or chairs are a must here, as at the three evenings of Las Noches de Ronda (which poetically translates as ‘Nights of Gaiety’), held at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens from 8-11 pm on Thursday-Saturday. Friday is a fine time to head here as the program starts an hour earlier with Flor y Canto, featuring original Spanish California dances and songs of the 19th century interwoven with historic narration and accompanied by music performed on replica
acoustic instruments. 

As with Pequeña, Ronda is rife with dances and songs that range from very traditional and authentic flamenco to the charm of Mexican folklórico dances to more modern approaches. Surprisingly, repetitions in repertoire are rather rare. 

One idea? Start with Pequeña, hit De La Guerra Plaza later that night, do DIGS! if that’s your thing or check out DLG that night, spend Friday night at the Courthouse as the program starts an hour earlier with Flor y Canto, as described above. That’s if you still have any energy left after the historical horse and carriage parade (El Desfile Histórico) on Cabrillo at 12 noon, Friday, August 7 – and/or the Children’s Fiesta Parade (El Desfile de los Niños) on Saturday, August 8. And make sure to spend at least a little time on lower State Street, where revelers and wandering, often even competing, Mariachi bands make music pretty much all day and into the late night, both on the sidewalk and streets and inside innumerable bars and restaurants. 

Check out all the official events in detail at Fiesta’s website, www.sbfiesta.org