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Fiesta to resume its big shows
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Fiesta Pequeña, Noches de Ronda to be held this year
By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
The June 15 announcement that California ditched its colorcoded tier system, capacity limits, social distancing restrictions and mask guidance came with another anticipated announcement from Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara. First things first. Fiesta Pequeña is back. It will be held Aug. 4 on the steps of the Santa Barbara Mission, as it traditionally was before the pandemic.
Secondly, Noches de Ronda will return to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7. Finally, Tardes de Ronda will be held Aug. 7. “I think the entire organization is happy that we can do more Fiesta events free of charge for the community,” David Bolton, the 2021 Old Spanish Days El Segundo Vice Presidente, told the News-Press. “It’s a big part of our mission statement — to be able to put on Fiesta for the community and offer as many events as
possible free of charge. Fiesta definitely brings excitement to the city, it brings revenue to a lot of businesses, and it really gives our community an outside experience to enjoy dance, music and culture.” Fiesta Pequeña will be hosted by the Franciscan Friars of Old Mission, per usual, and televised live on KEYT, Channel 3. Montecito Bank and Trust is sponsoring Fiesta Pequeña 2021 with the entire public invited to the evening of music and dance. “We’re thanking the Franciscan community for allowing us to come
back to their home, because the Mission is their home, and being able to put that on again. That’s such a magical event, Fiesta Pequeña,” 2021 La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow told the NewsPress. She said the opening of Fiesta is “very near and dear” to her heart, since her daughter was a dancer many years ago and she herself has been volunteering for the past 20 years. “It’s been a very wonderful and exciting journey for myself and for my family, and we’re very happy that we’re able to have a more
traditional Old Spanish Days this year,” La Presidenta said. At May 12’s Fiesta press conference, announcements were made according to the rules in place at the time, Mr. Bolton explained. It wasn’t until the details of the June 15 reopening were rolled out from the state that the Old Spanish Days organization knew what events could take place. When asked about the potential of the return of parades and mercados as well, Mr. Bolton said, “Old Spanish Days is looking at other additional events as we’re
Day with the grandkids
able to do other events based on our infrastructure, logistics and permissions. We’re planning to have other announcements coming up as additional events potentially get added and as guidelines change. “Either way, here in the state of California, parades or mercados have not been announced,” he said. Ms. Petlow added that she’s hopeful for the return of the parades and mercados this year, but if not, “hopefully next year we Please see SHOWS on A4
Question remains on masks in school State guidance still under discussion By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Though the state unleashed new guidance for masking and social distancing Tuesday — essentially removing mask requirements in many places for vaccinated folks — questions remain about how the updated guidelines will apply in specific sectors. One area that remains uncertain is the masking policy for schools this fall. While most schools are now on summer break, multiple members of the Board of Supervisors raised questions during a meeting Tuesday about what the masking policy will look like when it’s time to go back to school. “This is definitely the question I’m getting most often from folks,” Supervisor Das Williams said Tuesday, asking for updates from public health officials on the masking policy for schools. As of right now, all schools require masks for students indoors regardless of their vaccination status, while allowing students to remove face coverings when they are outdoors. This same policy applies to children’s camps this summer. The state has been reviewing the guidance for schools for about a month to determine the best course of action for the fall, yet no updated policy has been
RAFAEL MALDONADO/NEWS-PRESS
Bob Warner enjoys time with his twin 4-year-old grandsons, Ollie Guis and Will Guis, Wednesday morning on Stearns Wharf. People were cooling off by the Pacific during this hot week, but temperatures fell Wednesday and are expected to go down further this week. Story, A2.
DAVE MASON/NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO
Dr. Henning Ansorg, the Santa Barbara County public health director, said masking guidance for schools this fall is still pending. Currently schools require that all students, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors.
released. According to Dr. Henning Ansorg, the county public health officer, developing new guidance for schools will require talking with the many stakeholders involved. The new masking policy, he added, spans beyond a public health lens and must be vetted by a number of other local and state officials. “It’s a very lengthy process because many stakeholders are involved,” Dr. Ansorg told the Please see COVID-19 on B4
Fiesta Ranchera returns tonight in Goleta By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Goleta’s Fiesta Ranchera is back — but with a twist. To kick off this year’s Fiesta event season, Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society are presenting an “On the Go” version of the annual celebration, which will feature pop-up dance performances around Goleta as a way to thank the restaurants who have supported the event for many years.
The celebration begins tonight with live dance performances at Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant, 5764 Calle Real, at 7 p.m. and the Nugget Bar & Grill, 5687 Calle Real, at 7:30 p.m. The fun will continue Saturday with a large pop-up flamenco and live music performance at the Camino Real Marketplace from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. David Bolton, the second vice presidente for Old Spanish Days, told the News-Press that instead of hosting a typical Fiesta
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patronize the local eateries and breweries and shops throughout (the city).” Just like in past years, dancers donning traditional flamenco dresses will perform to live music, showcasing some of the best dancing Santa Barbara has to offer, Mr. Bolton said. “It’s the best of Santa Barbara dance. There’s many flamenco dance studios in town, and it really brings out youth, it brings out energy, it brings out traditions and it brings out generations,” Mr.
Bolton said. “I think we’re going to see these performances really put smiles on people’s faces. People that have patiently waited 15 months to be able to once again enjoy Fiesta.” After COVID-19 restrictions outright canceled Fiesta Ranchera last year, members of the Old Spanish Days board say they are ready to get back to hosting the events locals love. “What we’re most excited about is getting to do our signature events this year,”
Stephanie Petlow, la presidenta of Old Spanish Days, told the News-Press. “Everybody is ready to celebrate heritage, history and culture and enjoy good food. We are very pleased to be able to do more for our community this year.” For more information on Fiesta Ranchera, visit goletahistory.org/fiestaranchera. email: mhirneisen@newspress. com
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Ranchera with food and cocktails provided by local businesses, the organization decided that this year it wanted to give back to restaurants by encouraging the community to dine out while enjoying live dance performances. “We went full circle and wanted to give back to those businesses, which are the heart of Goleta,” Mr. Bolton told the News-Press Wednesday. “The event moves through Goleta with dance and song and encourages everyone to
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