For the first time ever, an elder of the Chumash community has been selected as the Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal. Ernestine De Soto, whose ancestors have been a part of the Santa Barbara community for generations, will have a prominent position in this year’s El Desfile Histórico (Historical Parade) as it travels along Cabrillo Boulevard and passes her ancestral village, Syuxtun (also known as Ambassador Park), and known to be one of the largest Chumash villages on the South Coast. 

In announcing his selection of Ms. De Soto, 2023 El Presidente David Bolton said that honoring history, culture and traditions was fundamental in the Parade Grand Marshal selection. The announcement took place at the site where the important Chumash village Syuxtun meets the modern-day parade route on Cabrillo Boulevard at Ambassador Park.

The 2023 Old Spanish Days Board of Directors gathered on Cabrillo Boulevard
for an Iconic Photo.  Volunteers for the  99-year-old organization give their time and talent for the good of the community.  

Old Spanish Days (OSD) in Santa Barbara, Inc. is a 50l(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and preserving Santa Barbara's history, spirit, culture, heritage, and traditions. The 99-year-old organization is unique among festivals in that it is run entirely by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by only one full-time staff member.

The Board of Directors represent a broad cross-section of the community and is responsible for planning and producing over a dozen major events during the week of Fiesta, several fundraising events leading up to the week and organizing over 500 other volunteers, participants, and performers.  

Jack Harwood is the 2023 Spirit of Fiesta and Olivia Nelson is the 2023 Junior Spirit of Fiesta.  

An important Santa Barbara tradition continued as a sold-out crowd watched history being made at the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta Auditions at the Lobero Theatre on Saturday. The audience was treated to incredible performances by 12 Spirit finalists and 10 Junior Spirit finalists.

At the end of the amazing show, for the first time ever, a male Spirit of Fiesta was selected.  Jack Harwood,19, was chosen among the Spirit finalists as the 2023 Spirit of Fiesta and Olivia Nelson, 10, will serve as the 2023 Junior Spirit of Fiesta.

Old Spanish Days Fiesta is thrilled to announce the release of the 2023 Fiesta poster.  After months of creative planning, the historic tradition of releasing an annual commemorative poster continued as this year’s El Presidente, David Bolton, unveiled the 2023 Fiesta poster today.

The 2023 poster features a beautiful dancing couple at the foot of Stearns Wharf with Santa Barbara’s iconic waterfront in the background. The scene combines the vibrant colors of Fiesta with the stunning coastal view that is enjoyed by countless locals and visitors alike.

On the steps of the historic Lobero Theatre, where in 1924 the beloved community festival known as “Fiesta” started, board members from Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara (OSD) and the Lobero Theatre unveiled the official poster for the 2023 Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta Auditions. This marks the third year in a row that the Lobero has generously partnered with OSD to bring the Auditions to their historic stage.   

A highlight for Fiesta 2023 is sure to be La Primavera returns to the Historic El Paseo Restaurant for one extraordinary evening.

This not-to-be-missed event begins with a reception at Casa De La Guerra, the former home of José Antonio de la Guerra y Noriega, the last Commandant of the Presidio of Santa Barbara. Later, guests dressed in their finest Fiesta attire, will stroll down the “Santa Barbara Street of Spain” and arrive at the El Paseo Restaurant to enjoy an elegant "Four Nations Dinner" honoring the Chumash, Spain, Mexico and the United States.

Plans have come together nicely for Fiesta 2023, with all of the traditional events confirmed and with one event returning to its historic roots. 

Officials of Old Spanish Days and the City of Santa Barbara gathered on the steps of City Hall to announce detailed plans for Fiesta 2023, as well as unveil the theme for our community’s beloved summer festival.

‘Let’s Fiesta’ has been chosen by El Presidente David Bolton as this year’s Fiesta theme. 

“Fiesta means so much more than merely a party — it’s about celebrating, it’s about family, friends, neighbors and colleagues,” said El Presidente Bolton in making the theme announcement. “Fiesta is so special and so unique to Santa Barbara. We come together every year as a community to celebrate our history, traditions and culture. Throughout this year, ‘Let’s Fiesta’!”

Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the leadership team for Fiesta 2023.  The elected team includes the Executive Committee composed of: El Presidente David Bolton; El Primer Vice Presidente Brian Schwabecher; El Segundo Vice Presidente Fritz Olenberger; La Secretaria Maria Cabrera; and El Tesorero Colin Hayward.  The elected Division Chiefs are: Division Chief of Celebrations Janice Howell; Division Chief of Dance & Entertainment Patricia Oreña; Division Chief of External Relations Angelique Davis; Division Chief of Marketplaces Andrea Caplan; Division Chief of Pageantry Tony Miller.

Traditionally it's one of the happiest pictures of Fiesta — the annual group picture of Old Spanish Days ambassadors, Los Niños de Las Flores. The official 2022 picture took place on the steps of historic Old Mission Santa Barbara.

The picture includes a total of 48 youngsters, 46 girls and two boys, ranging in age from 6 to 12. Ten señoritas also were on hand along with 2022 Fiesta La Presidente Maria Cabrera and members of the OSD committee.

Los Niños de las Flores participate in both parades, and the opening night ceremony at the Old Mission. Throughout Fiesta week they visit convalescent homes, and greet visitors at both the airport and train station. With their bright smiles and a "Viva La Fiesta", Los Niños embody the spirit of Fiesta!

With a new parade route along Cabrillo Boulevard and limited nearly parking, attendees will now be able to take advantage of the downtown parking garages and arrive at the Parade route via free shuttles. 

Old Spanish Days is partnering with the City of Santa Barbara and the Downtown Organization to offer this free service to the community. 

Three shuttles will be circulating up Chapala Street, across Victoria Street, and down Anacapa Street to the beach side of State Street. The shuttles will pick up at multiple locations along this route running in roughly 10-minute intervals. 

The free shuttles will begin at 10 am and run until 5 pm. 

“It’s important to all of us that members of our community have easy access to our Fiesta Parade,” said 2022 La Presidente Maria Cabrera. “These trolleys are a great collaboration between three organizations that support Fiesta in many ways. This year’s theme, Todos Juntos en Familia, is evident in this outstanding collaborative partnership that benefits our community tremendously.” 

For the first time in three years, Santa Barbara is having a Fiesta! And this Wednesday, as is tradition, the official opening of the five days of Fiesta will be held at Mercado De La Guerra counting down to the opening of the Mercados at 11 am. 

Everyone is cordially invited to attend this annual event where Old Spanish Days and Santa Barbara City officials, join local dignitaries and community members to officially cut the ribbon and open Fiesta for its 98th year. 

“Fiesta is here,” said 2022 La Presidente Maria Cabrera, “The entire Old Spanish Days family thanks everyone in the community -- our valued volunteers, members of our business community, and city and county staff and elected officials – everyone has worked hard, and has worked together, to make this year’s Fiesta a success for our community. We have not been able to have a full Fiesta since 2019, and everyone is ready. We hope that you enjoy Fiesta. Please stay safe, have fun, and remember, Todos Juntos en Familia.” 

“The entire community is represented”, 2022 Fiesta La Presidente Maria Cabrera said as she unveiled the 2022 Old Spanish Days Poster and Pin before a large gathering at Saturday’s La Primavera celebration held at the Carriage and Western Art Museum.

The poster is a joyful scene painted in lively colors depicting a celebration of music and dance in front of Old Mission Santa Barbara. Maria Cabrera stumbled across the watercolor by Arthur Beaumont while archiving Fiesta material in the Old Mission Archive library.

“Fiesta is a time to just enjoy life being together,” said La Presidente Cabrera whose 2022 theme is “Todos Juntos en Familia” translated: “All Together as a Family”.

For the first time in three years, Santa Barbara will have a complete Fiesta this summer with the return of the historic parade, both Mercados, and a variety of dance and celebrations throughout the community. 

Facing historic Plaza De La Guerra and with City Hall as a backdrop, Officials from Old Spanish Days, the City of Santa Barbara, the Downtown Organization, and a variety of community partners unveiled plans for Fiesta 2022.

Fiesta officially begins on Wednesday, August 3 with the opening of both Mercado De La Guerra and Mercado del Norte at McKensie Park. That evening, Fiesta Pequeña once again takes place on the steps of the Old Mission.

Thursday is highlighted by the first night of Noches de Ronda in the sunken garden of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and the Fiesta Rodeo at Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Tara Mata, a 19-year-old student at Santa Barbara City College, was selected 2022 Spirit of Fiesta. She danced a Cantiñas. 

Meanwhile, nine year old Layla Gocong, a third grader at Crane Country Day School, was chosen as the 2022 Junior Spirit. She danced a Tanguillo.

The Spirit Auditions are the most anticipated moment of Fiesta. Each year, the Spirit of Fiesta is front and center at the major Old Spanish Days events and, along with the Junior Spirit, will bring dance and energy to the community.

This year’s Fiesta La Presidente Maria Cabrera announced the names of the two winners in a most dramatic moment.

With anticipation and planning, officials of Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara are laying out plans for Fiesta 2022, and announced the leadership team that will guide the area’s largest regional festival in a safe environment next summer.

La Presidente Maria Cabrera will lead the organization into its 98th year. She is a retired school counselor and current fulltime community volunteer. Primer Vice Presidente David Bolton, Segundo Vice Presidente Brian Schwabecher, Treasurer Colin Hayward, and El Secretario Fritz Olenberger will join La Presidente Cabrera on Fiesta executive committee. Additionally, the Fiesta 2022 leadership team will include Division Chiefs Janice Howell (Celebrations), Patricia Oreña (Dance and Entertainment), Casie Killgore (External Relations), Marge Romero (Mercados), and Tony Miller (Pageantry).

SANTA BARBARA, CA - With the opening of California and the lifting of many restrictions, Fiesta will be returning to Santa Barbara this summer with many of the traditional events that have made up Old Spanish Days for nearly 100 years.

Some of the highlights for this year’s Fiesta announced by officials during a Tuesday media conference on the steps of Old Mission Santa Barbara:

Fiesta Pequeña will return to the steps of the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara on Wednesday, August 4.

Noches de Ronda will return to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden Thursday, August 5-Saturday, August 7. Tardes de Ronda will be held that Saturday afternoon.

This year, 10 Spirit Finalists and 5 Junior Spirit Finalists auditioned for the title of Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta.  

The 2021 Spirit Auditions were held at the historic Lobero Theatre where Fiesta began in 1924 and was broadcast live on Channel 13/1013.  A rebroadcast of the event will air on Saturday, April 24th at 7 PM on Channel 13/1013.  

As they have for 97 years, and with emotion, fanfare and excitement, the 2021 Fiesta Poster and Pin have been unveiled to the community.

La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow had the distinguished honor in front of family, friends and members of the community at the Fiesta kick-off La Primavera celebration at The Carriage and Western Art Museum. It was a special moment for Ms. Petlow who designed the poster and pin using family, youth and history.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - With historic parade carriages forming a picturesque backdrop, and flanked by members of the extended Old Spanish Days family, 2021 La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow revealed a full slate of Fiesta events for this coming year, sans parade and mercados, and announced the Fiesta 2021 theme “Honoring our Generations.”

Fiesta Pequeña, Noches de Ronda, Arts and Crafts Show, Rodeo, and a handful of traditional parties will be all part of Fiesta 2021, and all of the planning that has taken place includes the most current guidelines and protocols. Attendance and event size will be smaller to assure community safety, but Fiesta is returning.