As our South Coast Summer is nearing its end, I’d like to take a moment and express my sincere and humble gratitude as I wrap up my term as El Presidente for our Fiesta’s 100th Anniversary. It was a remarkable and memorable celebration that I will always appreciate and cherish—especially knowing that so many of our board members, volunteers, community leaders and community members worked so tirelessly over many years to bring this milestone to our community. Our Fiesta isn’t always guaranteed and some of our traditional venues and celebrations do change over the years for factors that are sometimes largely outside of the control of a group of community volunteers. However, to our Sponsors and City of Santa Barbara partners, we thank you so much for trusting our organization to bring the community together in celebration to the best of our ability year in and year out.
Our Fiesta has made it 100 years specifically because of your ongoing trust and support. And to our community and stakeholders at large—our celebration has certainly evolved but you have continued to bring your traditions to life every Fiesta and show the world that it is possible to come together no matter your age, economic background or lineage. Our Fiesta has become more than just our big Santa Barbara party—it is an inclusive representation of what makes us Santa Barbarians. But is has also become synonymous with our beautiful and now world-renowned dance and youth community—who we get to enjoy and share with the world at our historic and sacred monuments around Santa Barbara. It is so rare to have such history, art and architectural monuments that we are so fortunate to have and use. We also celebrate with our music, food, art and parades that showcase the grandeur and ambition of the founders and leaders of our Fiesta over our 100 year history. We are so fortunate to have our Fiesta and we are so fortunate that it lives with us as that single Fiesta spirit that makes Santa Barbara such a unique and special place in the world. Thank you again for celebrating our 100thAnniversary with me and our Santa Barbara family; it was an absolute honor of a lifetime to serve as El Presidente for our 100th Anniversary. To the next 100 years!!!
Viva el Centenario y que Viva la Fiesta!
Brian Schwabecher
El Presidente 2024
