Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara is pleased to announce that Dacia and Riley Harwood and Tom and Denise Peterson have been named honorary El Presidentes & La Presidentas for the 95th annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta. They will be in attendance at the La Primavera event on Saturday, May 25, 2019. Tickets available at online at sbfiest.org.
“My theme “Spirit of Community” was inspired by the way members of our community come together and selflessly donate their time and talents to make Fiesta happen each and every year”, said 2019 La Presidenta Barbara Carroll. “I wanted to honor the theme and so I chose people who have been involved behind the scenes in our community in a multitude of ways, and each of them has had an impact on making Fiesta successful,” she added.
Dacia Harwood was a founding committee member of Fiesta Ranchera, and continues to be a vital member of that event to this day. Riley Harwood has been on the front lines of Fiesta every year during his years on the police force. During his assignment with special events he was OSD’s liaison with the Police Department and helped strengthen the positive working relationship that exists today between OSD and the City.
Tom Peterson has a love of history and our community and he is extremely knowledgeable about the carriages in our parade, as well as all of the horses you see throughout Fiesta. Denise Peterson’s love of horses has brought her into the Fiesta family through the parade as well, which she has participated in many times.
Honorary El Presidente’s are chosen each year by the current La Presidenta or El Presidente and do not have any official duties. It’s an honor bestowed on them for their personal support to the current Presidente or their contributions to OSD.
