Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days. The motto for 2012 is:”Viva la Familia”.

Fiesta is always so Egg-citing! So festive and fun! And while this post covers a couple of the Old Spanish Days, if you’re looking for Animal House coverage–the one following revelers around the War Zone after hours–this isn’t the post for you.

Just a sampling of the myriad “Cascarones”–	–confetti-filled eggs on sale everywhere today.

Don’t get me wrong. Hitting the dance clubs is F-U-N, spelled out in capitals kind of fun, but it also has a time and place, and for me that time has turned-turned-turned. These days I look for a more ordered type of festivity, and since the scope of Fiesta is so grand; packing so many of our Santa Barbara venues with a spectrum of entertainments that range from concerts & carnivals, parades & talent shows–to flamenco dancing & wine tastings, horse shows & pancake breakfasts, it’s easy enough for this blogger to find the right fit.

I won’t be drinking any of these Giganter ‘Ritas! Just check out the ratio of elbow to glass!

Fiesta Pequeña fit pretty well. For me and hundreds of others. Opening night ceremonies finds neighborhood folks and out-of-town visitors alike trundling blankets and beach chairs down to the old Mission, ready to kick off the 5 day celebration of the Spanish influx into California with a free concert on the lawn featuring ethnic music and dance. Continue reading →…