The annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo has canceled its popular events this summer in Santa Barbara because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 96th annual gathering was scheduled for Aug. 6-9 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.
“This was not an easy decision to come to,” rodeo chair Josiah Jenkins said in a statement. “I know the impacts are far-reaching for our community, our sponsors, our contestants and our hundreds of volunteers that all come together to continue the time-honored tradition of the rodeo.”
Event organizers said they looked forward to a successful four-day stock horse show and rodeo, and the rodeo committee invested $25,000 in the rebuild of the Earl Warren Showgrounds, the arenas and footing, Jenkins said.
“We are proud of the voluntary contributions from the community that came together with the aid of the Santa Barbara Equine Assistance & Evac Team who have done a tremendous job rebuilding portions of Earl Warren (Showgrounds) for the safe use by large animals,” Jenkins said.
For decades, hundreds of spectators packed the showground arena to attend the fun-filled events.
The multiday gathering featured professional bull riding, three performances of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, as well as local competition and a variety of events showcasing the talents of junior cowgirls and cowboys, and other fun-filled productions.
“On behalf of the hundreds of volunteers that put countless hours of hard work each year to keep the spirit of the Santa Barbara Vaquero alive, we want to thank our community and sponsors for their support and look forward to working with them all again in 2021,” Jenkins said.
Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days Fiesta
No Old Spanish Days Fiesta events will be held where large crowds can gather to protect volunteers, performers and community members from the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with official health guidance, said Angelique Davis, a spokeswoman for Fiesta.
The Old Spanish Days board of directors decided to reimagine this year’s Fiesta by holding many signature events remotely.
Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta — scheduled for Aug. 5-9 — will occur mostly on television and online, and will include adaptive events that the community can join from home or their car.
In a statement following the decision, El Presidente Erik Davis said, “Fiesta will look different this year. But, we will do our best to honor our history, maintain our traditions and celebrate our Santa Barbara story together. Viva la Fiesta.”
The organization is exploring innovative ways to reimagine the most iconic Fiesta activity — El Desfile Histórico — while paying tribute to health care workers. Plans about the historical parade had yet to be announced, event organizers said Thursday.
“With so much still unknown, it’s too big of a risk to hold a large-scale event like Fiesta that will attract thousands of people,” Erik Davis said. “During these unprecedented times, we believe it’s the right thing to do so people can adjust their plans and we can move forward and do what we can to make the best of the situation.”
La Fiesta Pequeña, or “Little Fiesta,” will be televised on Aug. 5. It will replay highlights from past La Fiesta Pequeña events and include live commentary from hosts.
In previous years, the Old Spanish Days Fiesta kicked off its first night of festivities on the steps of the historic Santa Barbara Mission.
The organization also will host a virtual summer concert series called “Fiesta Music and Dance Fridays” that will feature local bands and highlight restaurants and nonprofit organizations typically seen at the open-air markets.
Culminating with performances on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8, the virtual concerts will be streamed on the organization’s Facebook and TVSB.
“The community is encouraged to tune in and dance at home,” Angelique Davis said.
Old Spanish Days Fiesta will host a series of virtual interviews, air historic footage of past events and post-historic photographs on their social media.
In collaboration with the Downtown Organization, plans are underway to have the Fiesta flags fly on State Street in Santa Barbara for an extended period.
Information about the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta, as well as other creative ideas to bring the community together while staying apart, are also being worked out and will be announced in the coming weeks, Angelique Davis said Thursday.
“This is not how any of us expected this year to go,” Erik Davis said. “But, we are all having to adjust and find moments that bring us joy. While we won’t be gathering like we normally would, the Fiesta board (of directors) has adjusted our planning to focus on safe and adaptive ways that will still bring forward the Fiesta spirit and will honor many of our rich traditions.”
For more information about Old Spanish Days, click here.
— 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.
