“Spirit of Community” will be central theme for 95th annual Fiesta
SANTA BARBARA, CA – February 21, 2019 – Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara announced today that the official theme for the 95th annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta will be “Spirit of Community.”
Each year, the Presidente of Fiesta chooses a theme that will set the tone for the coming year. La Presidenta Barbara Carroll, who has been a Fiesta volunteer since 1986 and has served on the board of directors since 2006, was inspired by the way the Santa Barbara community comes together to appreciate our shared history and culture and participate in the annual celebration.
“My theme reflects the spirit of the people who volunteer their time, talent and energy to make Fiesta possible each year,” said La Presidenta Barbara Carroll. “Every year thousands of us come together to participate in the annual Fiesta celebration by organizing and volunteering, or simply by enjoying the festivities. Fiesta brings us all together and truly manifests the spirit of our community,” she added.
Now in its 95th 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 historic 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. Fiesta 2019 will be held July 31 - August 4.
Upcoming events include:
Spirit of Fiesta Auditions - April 13, 2019
La Primavera - May 25, 2019
Fiesta Ranchera - June 20, 2019
Fiesta Costume Sale - July 13, 2019
Recepción del Presidente - July 28, 2019
La Fiesta Pequeña - July 31, 2019
Mercado de la Guerra and Mercado del Norte - July 31 - August 3, 2019
La Misa del Presidente - August 1, 2019
Digs (Celebración de los Dignatarios) - August 1, 2019
Noches de Ronda - August 1 - August 3, 2019
El Desfile Histórico (Parade) - August 2, 2019
Flor y Canto - August 2, 2019
Tardes de Ronda - August 3, 2019
Children's Parade - August 3, 2019
