Santa Barbarans call a halt to the downtown business day when the Fiesta Parade steps up State Street on Friday at noon, swapping desk jobs for margarita glasses, but the blocked Castillo Street underpass may create a little chaos due to new street and Highway 101 ramp closures. Around noon, dozens of flower girls will lead El Desfile Histórico along the waterfront and then up State, but the return to Pershing Park will head down Garden Street, instead of the usual Castillo.
To ensure the safety of riders and horses, some of whom shy at cars coming toward them, parking restrictions and lane closures will be in place generally from about noon till 4 p.m. on Friday. Police spokesperson Sgt. Joshua Morton suggested parade watchers relax and hang out after the parade while participants take about an hour to regain Pershing Park.
Also, street parking time limits are waived just for the day — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — above the freeway between Valerio, Bath, and Laguna Street. Below the freeway, the free zone is surrounded by Cabrillo Boulevard, Castillo Street, and Garden Street. Parking lots will charge as usual.