Latest Fiesta News

The Downtown Organization will hold it’s 59th Annual Downtown Holiday Parade this Friday, December 2nd. Put your warm clothes on and come down to watch the many colorful and fun parade entries! As in years past Old Spanish Days will be participating - bringing their Holiday spirit with a Fiesta twist. This year keep an eye out for a horse drawn carriage carrying the 2012 El Presidente Ricardo Castellanos, Board Members, and family. The parade begins promptly at 6:30pm and will travel down State Street from Sola to Cota Street. We hope to see you there!

For more information regarding the Holiday Parade or the Downtown Organization please call them at (805) 962-2098 or see the website below:
59th Annual Downtown Holiday Parade

El Desfile Histórico was held on Friday, August 5th this year; we hope you were able to head downtown and watch the many amazing entries. With over 540 beautiful horses and mules it was a spectacular parade! While the sheer number of animals is impressive, one of the most important and intricate parts of the parade are the floats. Groups spend hours in the weeks before the parade building, painting, and decorating their floats in support of the float theme. This year’s float theme was “Fiesta de Santa Barbara” and below are the results from the judges:

First Place - Sweepstakes Trophy:
The Castro Family Float - “La Misa del Presidente”

Second Place - La Presidenta’s Trophy:
The Romero Pacheco Family Float - “The Story of the Rainbow Bridge”

Third Place - Mayor’s Trophy:
The Rickard and Strange Family Float - Float representing Santa Barbara County Bowl

Fourth Place - Grand Marshal’s Trophy:
Rotary Clubs of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, & Goleta - Float representing Santa Barbara Mission with One Tower

Fifth Place - Old Spanish Days Trophy:
Tierra Del Oro, Native Daughters of the Golden West - Float representing the restoration of the Santa Ynez Mission

6th Place - Directors Award Trophy:
Chapter 1.5, E Clampus Vitus - “The Santa Barbara Mission after the ‘25 Parade”

7th Place - Spirit of Fiesta Trophy:
Garcia Dance Studio - Float representing the first concession stand at Noches De Ronda

Thank you to all of the float builders and decorators who volunteered their time to make this year’s Historical Parade a memorable one!