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 Fiesta Dignatarios
At the Santa Barbara Zoo
5pm-10pm
El Celebración de los Dignatarios, or
"Celebration of the Dignitaries" is guaranteed to bring out the animal
in Fiesta fans. Enjoy a chance to mingle with members of the City
Council, the mayor and see exotic wildlife at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Enjoy
delicious appetizers and wines presented by local restaurants and
wineries.
Santa Barbarans have long been proud of
their city's heritage from Spanish founders and from the Spanish,
Mexican and North American pioneers who first settled here and built the
city. The tradition of colorful music, dance and song, together with a
spirit of friendliness, hospitality and tolerance are part of this
heritage which the Fiesta "Old Spanish Days In Santa Barbara" seeks to
preserve and perpetuate.
Old Spanish Days In Santa Barbara
In the year 1924, two circumstances motivated the first Fiesta. In the
first place, there had for some time been a feeling among the business
people of the city that Santa Barbara should have an annual summer event
to entertain and attract visitors. The city had come to be a favorite
place for winter tourists, but these visitors had not been drawn here in
any considerable number during the summer months.
Secondly, in August of 1924, the Community Arts Association of Santa
Barbara planned the opening of the new Lobero Theatre, which had been
erected on the site of the old historic theatre founded by Jos
(Giuseppe) Lobero and built by the assistance of Col. Wm. Hollister. A
member of the Community Arts Association, J. Wm. McLennen, conceived the
idea of having a celebration to mark the opening of the new theatre. He
approached a merchants' association and a committee was formed of which
Charles E. Pressley was elected chairman. The interest of Herbert Nunn,
who was then the city manager, was enlisted. The group began to
formulate plans for the celebration, to be comprised of a number of
activities to include a parade, aquatic and sports events and, of
course, a gala celebration at the theatre on its opening night.
As news of the plans became noised abroad, some members of the
community, more particularly T. Wilson Dibblee, a descendant of the
prominent De La Guerra family, and James B. Rickard, became apprehensive
lest the celebration should not fully represent Santa Barbara's
standards. A number of like-minded persons became interested, and it was
their opinion that the large amount of material originally gathered at
the time of the presentation of La Primavera should form the background
for the proposed celebration, which has become known today as Old
Spanish Days Fiesta.
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