SANTA BARBARA, CA – October 10, 2019 – Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the leadership team for Fiesta 2020. The elected team includes the Executive Committee comprised of: El Presidente, Erik Davis; La Primera Vice Presidente, Stephanie Petlow; El Segundo Vice Presidente, Alex Castellanos; El Secretario, David Bolton; and La Tesorera, Maria Cabrera. The elected Division Chiefs include: Division Chief of Celebrations Michelle Bischoff; Division Chief of Dance & Entertainment Andrea Caplan; Division Chief of External Relations Angelique Davis; Division Chief of Marketplaces Angela Miller-Bevan; and Division Chief of Pageantry Brian Schwabecher.
"I love how our entire community embraces the true spirit of Fiesta when we come together to celebrate our community and it’s long-held traditions,'' said El Presidente Erik Davis. “On behalf of the leadership team and the entire dedicated board of directors, we can’t wait to put on another spectacular Fiesta!”
Now in its 96 th year, Fiesta is unique among festivals in that it is run by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by only one full-time staff member. The Board of Directors annually elects an El Presidente or La Presidenta who presides over the Board, and serves as the general manager of the organization. The Primer Vice Presidente is responsible for the operations of the entire organization and the Segundo Vice Presidente is responsible for raising the funds that allows the historical festival to continue. The Division Chiefs oversee all of the volunteer committees that support 19 official Old Spanish Days events and activities in 14 venues city-wide.
In 2020, Fiesta will take place in various locations around the city starting August 5 to August 9. First held in 1924, Fiesta celebrates a period of romance and hospitality through pageantry, dance, music, costume and cuisine. Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation dedicated to honoring and preserving Santa Barbara’s history, spirit, culture, heritage and traditions.
