Old Spanish Days street vendors expected to increase significantly in the downtown and waterfront venues

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Based on the arrival of strolling and pre-set vendors throughout the Santa Barbara downtown and waterfront areas, there will be a large increase in sellers for Old Spanish Days.

The annual event is Aug. 2-6. It's the 99th year and highly anticipated by residents of the Central Coast and beyond.

In the downtown Mercado, there will be food booths and several other sellers, who have been approved for their locations. That includes paying a fee for their spot for four days, and getting appropriate business paperwork for the city, even if it is a temporary sales permit.

They will sell clothing, novelties, and historical items.

In recent days, many sellers have appeared with sidewalk tables full of Fiesta-style items ranging from dresses to purses, buttons and pins.

There's also a regular group of sellers in the Paseo Nuevo Mall entrance at De la Guerra. They will be relocated to the entrance near Ortega Street to clear out the other site for Old Spanish Days performers on a special stage.

Along the beach the Fiesta Arts and Crafts sale will take place Saturday and Sunday with permitted vendors in marked off and approved spots. The area has been expanded for this event.

There will also be sellers in the walkway between State St. and De la Guerra Plaza in what's called Storke Placita.

In recent weeks there's been a community debate over unpermitted hot food vendors including those cooking with open fires on sidewalks and near gas stations. In the past some have set up in the Fiesta entertainment and promenade zone very close to where other similar approved businesses are also hoping to make an income during Old Spanish Days.

These set ups are often seen late at night in neighborhoods and by night clubs. During Fiesta it is not uncommon for them to be out during the day.

The city and Old Spanish Days has built an event structure for those in the Mercados and approved event sites to prosper and help community non-profits.

For more stories on Fiesta and to see the full schedule, visit: www.keyt.com/fiesta.

For more from John, follow him on Twitter below: