A highlight every Fiesta are Los Niños de las Flores, the young ambassadors for our summer festival. Originally created by the Native Daughters of the Golden West, the Los Niños program was added to the plethora of events and committees that make up our Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
For decades, Los Niños de las Flores were called Fiesta Flower Girls, but as boys joined the celebration, the program updated its official name in 2019.
Each year the official Los Niños de las Flores photograph is taken on the steps of historic Old Mission Santa Barbara. This year more than 100 youngsters gathered for this special occasion. At the end of the photo shoot, they all yelled, “Viva la Fiesta!”
“They all look forward to this day,” said Los Niños Committee Chair Sarah Brewer. “It’s their first official event together and dressed in their uniform. See friends and welcoming new participants is exciting.”
Throughout Fiesta, Los Niños de las Flores will make multiple appearances throughout the community including at senior living centers, the airport, the train station and a multitude of Old Spanish Days events including Fiesta Pequeña.
“The kids definitely look forward to Fiesta Pequeña because some of them have been coming since they were little with their families,” said Los Niños Committee Co-Chair Kristina Cabral. “They enjoy being in the spotlight and having that little time up on the stage.”
Fiesta 2024, the Centennial, runs July 31-August 4. For details, please visit sbfiesta.org.
Photograph courtesy Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days
