Dino Saga 080803 _ Old Spanish Days Fiesta | FerrariChat

Dino Saga 080803 _ Old Spanish Days Fiesta

Discussion in 'Corbani's Corner' started by John Corbani, Aug 3, 2008.

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  1. John Corbani

    John Corbani Formula 3
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    May 5, 2005
    1,153
    Santa Barbara, CA
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    John Corbani
    #1 John Corbani, Aug 3, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Dino Saga 080803 _ Old Spanish Days Fiesta

    Fiesta comes the first weekend of August and has for the past 83 years. Fun time for everyone as the whole city celebrates its Spanish heritage. All are encouraged to dress as they did in the 1800s and dancing from both Spain and Mexico is seen all over town. Music from Spain with guitars and Moorish chanters drive the Flamenco dancers. Folk music from Mexico with brass, drums and guitars guide dances from all the Mexico states. The Bars and Clubs do a land office business for 5 days.

    Fiesta starts Wednesday night at the Old Mission. As the sun goes down the Fathers bless the city and its people. Dignitaries speechify a little and then the Spirit of Fiesta dances for the crowd. All the dance studios in town then show off the talents of their students and bands play traditional music. Everyone then heads downtown to a huge food Mercado and the Night Club area. Thursday is calm during the day but there are evening shows at the County Bowl and at the Courthouse. Evening also brings on the Rodeo and a huge blowout at the Zoo overlooking the beach and city. Dignitaries and all who want to socialize with them meet for wines and food from the best providers in the city.

    Friday is Parade Day. The largest equestrian parade in the US starts near the Harbor and goes up State Street. Tens of thousands line the streets to watch. Santa Barbara has one of the few carriage museums in the country that actually uses their collection. Vehicles are not only beautifully restored but in fine operating condition. Volunteers go all over California looking for draft horses trained for parade duty. Everything from Mules to Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and Budweiser Team qualifiers show up. Lots of drivers come on down and you see rigs 3 abreast, 4 up teams to 8 up teams. Some are matched and some combine whatever is available. Amazing all of the shiny leather holding everything together. Lots of work goes into the parade. There is a Mounted Posse in between nearly every wagon or float. Silver and gold saddles dazzle your eyes. Posses all come armed. There is plenty of firepower in Santa Barbara Thursday and Friday night.

    Saturday is the Pancake Breakfast and then the Children’s Parade. The Kiwanis take over a park two blocks from State Street. Griddles are hot and the guys have fun flipping pancakes. Once you are full, walk over to State Street and watch the kids get everything ready. Picture 500 kids in costume, some in homemade floats, many with their costumed pets. Put these kids at the top of State Street and ice cream at the bottom. Works fine.

    Sunday is the concert at the Courthouse. The West Coast Symphony serenades thousands sitting on the sunken lawn. Great setting and always a good performance with frequent famous guests. During all of this there are nightly performances at the Bowl and Rodeo. By Sunday night everyone is pretty well worn out and the cops start calming things down. The Margarita blenders slow down and the Corona trucks can take a breather.

    Went to see the parade on Friday. Took a few pictures. Enjoy.

    John
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  2. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    Nov 1, 2003
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    Laughing out loud at the Naval contingent. Ex-USN myself and marched in Bush Senior's inaugural parade. We sure weren't Marine Corps precise... but we were closer than that.
     
  3. Crawler

    Crawler F1 Veteran

    Jul 2, 2006
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    #3 Crawler, Aug 3, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 3, 2008
    John:

    Thanks for sharing. I used to make the trip up to S.B. and environs fairly often back in my Southern California days, but unfortunately I never was there for that event and missed all the pretty senoritas.

    Dan
     
  4. Nemo4

    Nemo4 Rookie

    Sep 2, 2006
    34
    John:

    Thanks for the parade photos. Beautiful horses. Could've used a cavallino rampante, though.
     
  5. abstamaria

    abstamaria F1 Rookie

    Feb 11, 2006
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    Andres
    Thanks, John.

    Andy
    Manila
     

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