There were floats, dancers, local dignitaries, and more than 600 horses as a huge crowd packed Santa Barbara’s waterfront for the 100th annual Old Spanish Days Historical Parade.
The very first El Desfile Historico was in 1924. The anniversary was celebrated in style Friday afternoon, as perfect weather set the stage for the parade.
For decades, the parade was on State Street. Because restaurant parklets which have closed part of the street, it’s been on Cabrillo Boulevard along the beach for the last few years.
The crowd was a mix of local residents and tourists. Johan Portillo of Long Beach says he, his wife, and young daughter found the parade by accident.
"It's the first time. We wanted to come to the pier," said Portillo. "It was one of those happy mistakes. I love it. It's great!"
Genesis Gonzales says coming to the parade is a fiesta tradition for her. "it's really good," said Gonzales. "There's a lot more today than I feel like for the last couple of years."
Santa Barbara’s waterfront will be busy with a second parade Saturday morning. The Fiesta Children’s Parade will also take place on Cabrillo Boulevard, beginning at 10 a.m.
