El Mercado de La Playa adds another day to Fiesta fun

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-El Mercado de La Playa, formerly known as Mercado Del Norte, stayed open a day longer than the other Old Spanish Day Mercado.

The new location across from Leadbetter Beach in the Santa Barbara City College football field parking made it a popular summertime location.

The extra day allowed people to enjoy fiesta food, music, dancing , vendors and rides through Sunday.

El Presidente David Bolton said a closing ceremony with a performance by Spirit Jack Harwood took place at Mercado de La Playa.

"Fiesta 2023 was a huge success. The community responded and enjoyed Fiesta this year in a big way, " said Bolton, " It was great to see so many smiles and so many families and friends coming together."

There is good chance it will be back when Old Spanish Days celebrates its 100th anniversary next year.

The decision may be up to the next El Presidente presiding over Santa Barbara's Fiesta.