Plaza de la Guerra facts for kids
Plaza de la Guerra, also called De La Guerra Plaza, is a fun public space in downtown Santa Barbara, California. It's right next to the Santa Barbara News-Press building. This plaza is famous for the exciting events that happen there during Santa Barbara's yearly Fiesta. This big celebration takes place every August.
During Fiesta, De La Guerra Plaza comes alive with many activities. You can find booths, enjoy live music, and join in lots of festive fun. Back in the 1950s, there was even a special booth where kids could watch glass being blown and then buy cool glass ornaments to take home! The plaza is named after the Guerra family of California, a very important family from the early days of California.
History of the Plaza
De La Guerra Plaza has been a popular meeting spot and festival area for a very long time. People gathered here even when Santa Barbara was part of Mexican Alta California. This means it was a public space long before California became part of the United States. The plaza is located right in front of the historic de la Guerra Adobe building.
Fiesta Fun at the Plaza
The biggest event at De La Guerra Plaza is the annual Fiesta, also known as Old Spanish Days Fiesta. This celebration honors Santa Barbara's history and culture. During Fiesta, the plaza is filled with:
- Food booths selling tasty treats
- Craft booths where you can find unique items
- Live musical performances
- Traditional dances
- Many other fun activities for everyone
It's a time when the community comes together to celebrate and have a great time!
Who Were the Guerra Family?
The plaza is named after the Guerra family, who were a very important and well-known family in California's history. They were part of the "Californios," which is what people called the Spanish-speaking residents of California before it became a U.S. state. The family's adobe home, the de la Guerra Adobe, is a historic landmark right next to the plaza.
Images for kids
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Plaza de la Guerra
