Tasty food samplings, cocktails, dancing and toe-tapping music were popular attractions Thursday evening during the Fiesta Ranchera celebration, Goleta’s annual kickoff event for Santa Barbara’s annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
Some 1,000 attendees and volunteers experienced the flavors, sights and sounds of the upcoming 2019 Old Spanish Days Fiesta during the 12th annual Fiesta Ranchera at the Rancho La Patera and Stow House.
Co-hosted by the Goleta Valley Historical Society and Old Spanish Days, the outdoor gathering offered a host of local vendors serving up food, signature cocktails and drinks, as well as live music.
People enjoyed a full slate of eats featuring everything from sweets and savories, to pizza and tacos.
While nibbling on bites, the adults could sip on wines and sample craft beer at the party.
The evening included dancing performances from 16-year-old Spirit of Fiesta Sophia Cordero and 10-year-old Junior Spirit of Fiesta Paloma Valenzuela. The pair both dance at Zermeño Dance Academy in Goleta.
Local band Area 51 also played for the crowd at the event, which is presented by Community West Bank and Bartlett, Pringle and Wolf, LLP.
Revelers, many in costumes, showed off spinning and twirling moves on the dance floor.
“At Fiesta Ranchera, people are on the dance floor until 10 p.m.,” La Presidenta Barbara Carroll said. “People have a good time at this event. It’s a lot of fun.”
In the Fiesta tradition, many of the guests were decked head to toe in traditional and handmade Spanish outfits and authentic cowboy and cowgirl apparel.
Fiesta Ranchera isn’t just a good time. It’s touted as a locals event, great for connecting with friends and other community members.
“I like the relaxed atmosphere of this event,” Carroll said. “You have the opportunity to hang out in the gardens at the Stow House — it’s a pretty space and turning into a locals party.”
Carroll told Noozhawk that Fiesta Ranchera “tends to be entirely locals. You are hanging out with your friends and running into people you went to high school with.”
Rancho La Patera and Stow House is a fitting venue for Thursday’s five-hour celebration.
The Goleta Valley Historical Society is commemorating 52 years of preservation. Its mission is to collect, preserve, interpret and foster research of the Goleta Valley’s history through exhibits, programs and stewardship of Rancho La Patera.
The site, formerly the headquarters of Rancho La Patera, was established in 1873. The ranch is considered the oldest commercial citrus ranch in California, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The money raised by Fiesta Ranchera supports Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society’s efforts to preserve the site and host education programs.
“Fiesta Ranchera is a wonderful opportunity for the community of Goleta to show their pride and spirit as being a part of Fiesta,” GVHS Executive Director Amanda de Lucia said. “We had our first Fiesta event out here at the ranch in 1968, and Fiesta Ranchera, now in its 12th year, is a wonderful way to bring Fiesta back to the people of Goleta.
“Being connected to the greater Fiesta community that has been a part of Santa Barbara for 95 years now — 95 years and going strong — is important to the Goleta Valley Historical Society,” she continued. “Fiesta Ranchera has paved the way for a great collaboration between Old Spanish Days and Rancho La Patera and Stow House.
“Proceeds from this event benefit both the nonprofits, Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society, equally, which is a great help to both organizations. We look forward to many years to come.”
This year’s theme for the 95th annual Old Spanish Days, which will be held July 31 to Aug. 4 in Santa Barbara, is “Spirit of Community.”
The presidente of Fiesta selects a theme every year.
Old Spanish Days first occurred in 1924, and the gathering is well-known for its historic horse parade — one of the largest equestrian processions in the United States.
Many annual public events foster a unique spirit among tourists and residents who participate and celebrate “the Rancho Period” — roughly from 1824 to 1864, according to organizers.
“I hope everybody comes out and enjoys Fiesta tonight and for the rest of the summer season,” Carroll said. “We need community support, and want to put on a great festival for the community.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
