Newly crowned 2022 Spirit of Fiesta Tara Mata, left, and Junior Spirit Layla Gocong greet the Lobero Theatre audience after their winning performances at the Old Spanish Days Spirit auditions.

The visual representation of Fiesta are the Spirits! Spirit of Fiesta, Tara Mata, and Junior Spirit of Fiesta, Layla Gocong, will be dancing their heart and feet off this week. Dozens of ...

Tara Mata, a 19-year-old student at Santa Barbara City College, was selected 2022 Spirit of Fiesta. She danced a Cantinas, according to event organizers. Meanwhile, nine-year-old Layla Gocong ...