Richard Mineards

“It doesn't get any better, especially for a guy like Messi,” smiled Argentine polo player Santi Wulff as families in sky-blue-and-white jerseys gathered at the Santa Barbara Polo Club following Argentina's appearance in the FIFA World Cup Final. “We are very proud. I know we all want to win, but we are very proud.”

“They were hoping for years to compete with Mardi Gras and the Rose Parade… and you know what? We got it!” historian Hattie Beresford told members of Montecito Bank & Trust's MClub, launching a fascinating journey through the colorful origins of Old Spanish Days Fiesta. From its earliest celebrations to the traditions that continue today, Hattie brought a century of Santa Barbara history vividly to life.

“Fiesta showcases our creativity, celebrates our culture, and encourages young people to learn about our traditions through dance,” said Renee Cooper , marketing manager for the Santa Barbara Symphony. That spirit of culture, creativity, and community filled the air at La Boheme's sixth annual Pre-Fiesta Celebration, where supporters gathered for a lively summer evening of music, flavor, dancing, and fundraising to provide scholarships for dancers.

By Lisa Duncan “For me, it inspires kids to want to play. So it's very important for me.

Supporters of the Society of California Pioneers as well as Bohemian Grove members gathered last week at the Santa Barbara Club to tour the clubhouse and view the impressive California art collection.

“The exciting thing about polo is the thunder of the horses' hooves. You really feel it!” exclaimed Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, his unmistakable southern drawl exulting in the experience of Sunday polo in Santa Barbara. Spending part of the summer here while the Cowboys conduct training camp in Oxnard, the billionaire sports icon has become a temporary Montecito regular. “Polo is exciting to watch, and I should know – I'm in sports!” he laughed before adding. “About the first time they hit the ball, it came over and almost hit us in the head!”

“This incredible turnout demonstrates that Santa Barbara County is more committed than ever to standing together against human trafficking,” declared Kielle Campbell Lindsey , board chairwoman of SAFE SBC, as more than 370 guests gathered at the magnificent Montecito estate of Amanda and Travis Twining for the inaugural “Fiesta de Fuego.” The evening embodied Sheriff Bill Brown 's longtime philosophy of community policing – that “it is so important for law enforcement and the community to come together.”

“It's my honor to toast Fiesta's extraordinary history,” said Dacia Harwood , executive director of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. She reminded guests that Fiesta “was born out of a conversation about preservation, and also cultural and economic vitality – both still important today.” Those ideals came vividly to life during La Fiesta del Museo, where history stepped off the museum walls and onto the dance floor.

Sunday brought championship silverware to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, where Delta Defence captured the Whittier Trust Silver Cup following the three-week tournament, which ran from July 19 through August 9.

For one week each summer, Santa Barbara slips into Fiesta mode – flamenco skirts swirl, horses take to the streets, and seemingly everyone finds a reason to dance. This year, Old Spanish Days unfolded everywhere from the grand terraces of Bellosguardo to the Courthouse, the Zoo and the waterfront, before one last turn around the dance floor at historic El Paseo. There were tacos and tiaras, little red wagons and plenty of familiar faces. Some came for the dancing, some for the horses, some for the tacos – but everyone came for Fiesta.