La Fiesta Pequena Dress Rehearsal Attracts Fiesta Crowd

The 2016 Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta put people in the spirit of Old Spanish Days during La Fiesta Pequena’s dress rehearsal.

It’s not an event visitors will find in the program, but it has grown in popularity due to word-of-mouth.

Junior Spirit Sarah Naretto,10, said she wasn’t nervous. “If you messup, then fix it, it’s ok,” said Naretto,

Parents and grandparents filled the chairs in front of the mission steps and dancing fans filed the lawn.

The Santa Barbara Newcomers Club put blankets out to save spots for people who have just moved to town. Sheri Mobley hopes they enjoy their first fiesta while they are getting used to their new home.

The Cuellar family had a spot up front to sell cascarones. The entire family makes the confetti filled egg shells all year. Anna Cuellar’s nephew said all the money will go to the church and the children.

Dancers rehearsed flamenco, folklorico, classical and more in their finest outfits.

More than one group wore teal to reflect the coastal frontier theme.

El President J.C. Gordon said he has about seven outfits picked out and he hopes his cowboy boots don’t wear out.

Gordon offered this tip to visitors: “Plan something new to do this year. You can’t do it all in one year.” Gordon hopes people check out dancing as well as the rodeo.

Anchor Beth Farnsworth and Father Larry rehearsed their hosting duties on Tuesday. They introduced each act and stretched as dancers found their way onto the Old Mission steps stage.

They will be hosting the event live on KEYT at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.