Fiesta is over in Santa Barbara. The confetti from cascarones has been swept up, the horse poop from the parade has been scooped and tossed, the food booths have been taken down, the sound stages dismantled, and the sombreros packed away . . . .

WAIT RIGHT THERE!!!!

Don’t pack that sombrero too far away. Theme parties with a Mexican or Latino  flare to them are always a good idea and are perfect several times a year. Call it a South of the Border Party, a Fiesta Party, or an Ole Party and use any of the following events as an excuse to throw one.

• Mexican Independence Day aka El Grito (September 16)
• Dia de los Muertos aka Day of the Dead (November 2)
• Las Posadas is nine days of getting ready for Christmas ending with a pinata party (December 16-24)
• Day of the Three Kings aka Dia de los Santos Reyes (January I love this one! Kids get to open their Christmas gifts and get candy in their shoes instead of stockings.
• Cinco de Mayo (May 5) My personal favorite since it’s my birthday. So many think this is Mexico’s Independence Day, but no. It’s the day to celebrate victory at the battle of Puebla. In the states, hardly anyone knows that. It’s just Cinco de Drinko to them.
• In August, Santa Barbarians hold Fiesta and that’s another great time for a Fiesta Theme Party.

Want even more reasons to throw a Fiesta Themed Party? Check out all of Mexico’s Holidays.

Fiesta Theme Parties are great for kids and adults. You’ve got a ton of great foods to choose from – tacos, burritos, chips and salsa,nachos, tamales, and  guacamole. Mmmm, muy bueno. For the adults, Fiesta-type drinks are abundant. Just make sure you’ve got a designated driver for the burro before you hit the Tequila.

The costumes for a Fiesta Theme Party are a snap. You can go elaborate with the Sexy Senorita, Flamenco Dancer, Zorro, or as a Mariachi. You can also create a super simple costume using nothing more than a white blouse and brightly colored skirt for girls, or black pants, white shirt, with a colored sash tied around the waist for guys. Or go super-simple with just a serape, a poncho, or a sombrero.

Throw on some toe-tapping Mexican rhythms like Mariachi, Salsa, or Nortena. Decorate with serapes, sombreros, cactuses, balloons, maracas, and brightly colored streamers.  For fun hit the piñata, take on the Chili-Pepper Challenge (start with mild and increase the heat level each round. You’re out when you can’t eat a whole chili), or do a little Mexican Hat Dance and show off your moves.

Ole! OIe! A Fiesta Theme Party is a sure way to score a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!