Extravaganza is an annual campus music festival held at the University of California, Santa Barbara that began in 1979 and has been held every year since 1989. Named as the #1 event on the "Top 10 University Festivals to Crash" by College Magazine in 2013, it takes place towards the end of spring quarter and is funded by a student lock-in fee. The event is planned, promoted, and run by the Associated Students Program Board, part of the Associated Students of the University of California, Santa Barbara. Extravaganza is held in Harder Stadium and draws thousands of students and out of town visitors every year. As of 2011, the festival is only open to UCSB students, staff, and faculty. The stage occupies the north end of the field while booths for student groups, sponsors, and activities line the sides. Attendees must comply with a mandatory pat down and bag search before entering the stadium.
History
In its early years, Extravaganza began as a showcase for local bands. It had originally been open to UCSB students as well as the surrounding community. Due to rising costs and increasing crowds, as of the 2011 edition only those with a UCSB-affiliation are allowed entry. Extravaganza expanded to feature two stages, but this practice was ended in 2005 due to a decision to downsize the number of bands in favor of bigger-name acts. However, the first performer remains a local act, usually chosen through a Battle of the Bands. The acts have also transitioned into more well known, mainstream performers than those of earlier versions of Extravaganza. May 16, 2009 was Extravaganza's 29th anniversary. The format of the festival was altered in order to mark this special occasion. Instead of being the usual day show, X '09 transitioned from day to night, with gates opening at 3 PM and the headliner concluding his set at approximately midnight. A large high definition screen was placed next to the stage in order to give the back of the crowd a better view of the acts. ASPB requested student-made short film submissions to be played between sets.
