103rd Old Spanish Days Fiesta Opens in Santa Barbara

Overview

• The festival kicked off Wednesday and will run five days with music, dance, food and family events across Santa Barbara.
• Performers who spent months rehearsing are appearing at venues citywide, led by Spirit of Fiesta Jenna Ramirez and Junior Spirit Penny Hernandez.
• El Mercado at De la Guerra Plaza is reported open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering Spanish and Mexican American food, crafts and vendor stalls.
• El Desfile Histórico, one of the country’s largest equestrian parades, is scheduled to run along Cabrillo Boulevard on August 7 from about noon to 2 p.m.
• Organizers say the festival has for the first time expanded activities into nearby Montecito, a claim reported by local outlets but with limited independent corroboration; the event traces to a civic celebration begun in 1924 and relies on local schools and community centers to pass traditions to new generations.