Wild Life

The party animals were out in force for one of Fiesta’s most popular parties, Celebration de Los Dignatarios, when a record 1,600 guests converged on Santa Barbara Zoo to raise more than $100,000 split equally between Old Spanish Days and the charming 30-acre menagerie.

KEYT-TV weather anchor Christa Kurkjian was on hand to do a series of forecasts from the boffo bash, while the Spirits of Fiesta Jack Harwood and Olivia Nelson entertained with their dazzling flamenco.

The hilltop hoopla featured 45 food and drink vendors to sate the appetites and thirsts of the hungry hundreds.

It was all too beastly for words with supporters including fun-loving Franciscan Friar Larry Gosselin, David Edelman, Lynn Kirst, Brenda Blalock, Wilson Quarre, Gini Dreier, George and Laurie Leis, Rebecca Brand, Stephanie Petlow, Fritz and Gretchen Olenberger, and Rich Block.