Colorful lights brighten the Old Mission Santa Barbara on Wednesday night for La Fiesta Pequeña. 
A dancer in colorful attire graces the stage in front of the Old Mission Santa Barbara on Wednesdy night for La Fiesta Pequeña. 
Colorful lights brighten the Old Mission Santa Barbara on Wednesday night for La Fiesta Pequeña. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
Spirit of Fiesta Sophia Cordera, an honors student at Santa Barbara High School, dances at La Fiesta Pequeña. 
Spirit of Fiesta Sophia Cordera. 
Spirit of Fiesta Sophia Cordera. 
Spirit of Fiesta Sophia Cordera. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
La Fiesta Pequeña at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
Spirit of Fiesta Sophia Cordera.
A man with a microphone stepped onto the large stage in front of the colorfully lit Old Mission Santa Barbara on Wednesday night to get the crowd ready for La Fiesta Pequeña.
“Viva la Fiesta!” he yelled as the crowd cheered in response.
Old Spanish Days Fiesta, celebrating its 95th year, is an annual historical event featuring traditional songs and dance.
Wednesday's free event drew a large crowd that filled the field. Families spread out on blankets near the garden and watched children chasing one another with aerosol string, bubble guns and cascarones eggs — hollow eggs filled with confetti to smash on another person's head. Food, souvenirs and toys were available from vendors that lined the field.
Performers included Grupo Folklorico de West Los Angeles and Ninos de Las Flores.
Santa Barbara resident Emily McLaughlin said she was especially eager to watch the dancers since her son and daughter are part of Ninos de Las Flores.
“Boys are now included in the group, so the name changed from the Flower Girls to Ninos de Las Flores,” McLaughlin said.
Residents Lexi Arens and Mare Laule said they had been to Fiesta events in previous years but this year decided to attend La Fiesta Pequeña for the first time. They spread out in the garden with their snacks to watch the event.
“We had never been to the opening event and wanted to see what it’s all about,” Laule said.
Old Spanish Days Fiesta continues through Sunday. Click here for more information, including a list of events.
— Noozhawk intern Jessica Reincke can be reached at jreincke@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.