Citywide Fiesta Decorations Going Up to Spark More Interest in Old Spanish Days
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – You will be seeing more decorations throughout Santa Barbara soon as part of the citywide celebration of Old Spanish Days coming up.
It couldn’t come at a more important time with attendance down at some of the recent summertime gatherings including the Santa Barbara County Fair recently.
Stores including the Home Improvement Center (ACE Hardware) on Gutierrez street not only have decorative bunting up outside, but also sell it inside. Fiesta flags for Old Spanish Days are made at the Flag Factory in Carpinteria. Some have hand painted additions for a custom look.
Pins and posters for this year’s Old Spanish Days are sold at The Home Improvement Center, The Santa Barbara Historical Museum, The Old Mission and Viva! Santa Barbara at the Paseo Nuevo Mall.
There are also many homeowners that have decorated the front of their house with flags, bunting and lights with the Fiesta colors of red, yellow and green.
The citywide spirited effort is a boost across the board from coffee shop to night spots.
Many bars and restaurants add more Fiesta decor and promotional items from beverage suppliers just for Fiesta.
The Greater Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Miguel Avila said, “the Fiesta atmosphere is in the air. People sense it, smelling it and they are starting to get into the feeling of Fiesta.” He said is a very big boost for the economy. “It brings a lot of money to Santa Barbara. Pretty much all businesses benefit even the ones that are not downtown they can still get a little tail of the business right here on the Westside or even on the Eastside.”
Avila says the community of all ages should “be ready and to embrace the occasion.”
When it comes to decorations around the community, some treat it like other holidays.
2025 El Presidente Fritz Olenberger said, “buy the pins buy the bunting. I have bunting myself. I am going to put it up at my house. “
He was treated to a special birthday cake over the weekend that featured the Fiesta poster image on it. That cake was make locally by the bakers at Vons on Turnpike, showing the creativity that may catch on with others looking to provide new ways for the public to enjoy the event.
What’s still to be seen is how the popular cascarones street vendors will be stocked up for Fiesta with their confetti eggs.
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