Mercado construction underway for the 100th anniversary of Old Spanish Days

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Thousands of people will be descending on downtown Santa Barbara for four days during the 100th anniversary of Old Spanish Days, and most will, at some point, visit De la Guerra Plaza.

El Mercado De La Guerra construction began Saturday with multiple booths coming together by volunteers and non-profit groups. They will be part of the sales of food and treats from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 31- August 3.

There will also be vendors on De la Guerra Street from Anacapa St. to State St. Old Spanish Days said it has more requests for spaces than it had room this year.

Old Spanish Days Mercado Director Sean Malis said, "I had to unfortunately turn people away for our merchants selling their merchandise  in De la Guerra street and in the plaza which is completely sold out which is a fantastic benefit for all our non profits.  "

This is the only mercado when, in the past, there have been two. That allowed for more groups to sell their goods and raise funds for their organizations.

This year the downtown mercado will have a variety of traditional foods and some new vendors. This includes tortas, tamales, chili bowls, a "Fiesta" hot dog, soft serve ice cream, croissants and churros. No alcohol will be served in the plaza.

" I am so excited.  I am so happy.  I would like to opportunity to see everybody and take a picture with everybody, this is history for Santa Barbara," said Elubia Orozco from Elubia's Kitchen. As part of the regional promotion last year she appeared on Los Angeles TV station KCAL.

In the plaza there is also a main stage where performers from the local dance studios will be putting on shows throughout each day. At night a variety pack of bands will perform including False Puppet, Spencer the Gardener and Will Breman.

The mercado is an official gathering spot for thousands of people and it has been for years. "My grandparents were involved in the mercado going back into the 30's  so for me personally it's a sense of my family's my heritage , my sense of community and seeing people that we haven't seen all year and we all come down here to fiesta and have a party," said Malis.

The ribbon cutting to open the Mercado De La Guerra will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

For more information go to: Old Spanish Days