By the edhat staff
Known as one of the largest equestrian parades in the country, the Fiesta Historical Parade reclaimed its waterfront route again this year.
Locals and visitors lined Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to the Chromatic Gate to see horses, donkeys, mules, floats, carriages, dancers, singers, and fantastical costumes.
Over 500 horses, or horse varities, trotted along the coastal roadway with antique carriages, coaches, and wagons. The floats depicted episodes from the history of the state and city while descendants of local Native Americans, Spanish Pioneers, Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, and local service clubs and organizations all dressed in historical garb with modern touches.
For the first time ever, an elder of the Chumash community was selected as the Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal. Ernestine De Soto, whose ancestors have been a part of the Santa Barbara community for generations, had a prominent position in this year’s parade as it passed her ancestral village, Syuxtun (also known as Ambassador Park), and known to be one of the largest Chumash villages on the South Coast.
Ernestine De Soto waving to the crowd (Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
Below are photos of the parade from edhat readers:
Spirit of Fiesta Jack Harwood in the center (Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
(Photo: Fritz Olenberger)
Photo by Joe DeLise
Photo by Joe DeLise
Photo by Joe DeLise
Photo by Joe DeLise
Photo by Joe DeLise
Mayor Randy Rowse and Junior Spirit Olivia Nelson (Photo: Joe DeLise)
Also Read
- Finding Fiesta Partners UCSB With Local Teachers For New Perspectives On A Century-Old Celebration
- Friendship Center Brings Old Spanish Days Fiesta Festivities to Members with Dementia
- Op-Ed: We Were Fiesta, A Letter and Reckoning with What’s Been Lost
- Fiesta Cruiser Bike Ride 2025!
- Fiesta Horse Parade Delights Crowds in Santa Barbara
Marvelous!
Thank you for these amazing pictures….
Can anyone buy prints of one of these photos from Edhat?
SO much energy & talent goes into making Fiesta the wonderful celebration that it continues to be ! Thank you for all of the LOVE for Santa Barbara 🙂