Old Spanish Days Fiesta 2026 Poetry Contest

New for Old Spanish Days in 2026

A First-Ever Fiesta Literary Competition Joins Traditional Old Spanish Days Events; the Month of May Designated as Fiesta Poetry Month by El Presidente 2026 Colin Hayward

Poems inspired by Old Spanish Days Fiesta will be a big part of the community-wide celebration this year. The month of May has been designated Fiesta Poetry Month by El Presidente 2026 Colin Hayward who has added a Poetry Contest to this year’s Fiesta activities.

“What we’re hoping to do is expand the reach of Old Spanish Days,” said El Presidente 2026 Colin Hayward. “We are trying to make Fiesta more inclusive, more welcoming, and give even more people a reason to feel connected to Fiesta in 2026.”

Santa Barbara Fiesta 2026 Poetry Contest Illustration

This first-ever Fiesta Poetry Contest adds a new creative wrinkle to the multi-month Old Spanish Days festivities. The competition is open to residents of Santa Barbara County. The contest will offer monetary prizes in three age categories and an opportunity for winners to read their creative work during Old Spanish Days events this summer. Poems must be inspired by how Old Spanish Days celebrates Santa Barbara’s heritage and traditions of colorful celebrations of dance and music, delicious food, moving song, and the spirit of friendliness and hospitality.

El Presidente Hayward has selected a distinguished panel to judge this year’s inaugural Fiesta Poetry Contest. The judges include current Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin as well as former Santa Barbara Poets Laureate Perie Longo, David Starkey, and Melinda Palacio. The group will be joined by Father Larry Gosselin, OMF, an enthusiastic poet and long-time member of the clergy at Santa Barbara’s Old Mission.

“Santa Barbara has a rich and varied literary history, from Richard Henry Dana to Gabriela Mistral to Kenneth Rexroth to Island of Blue Dolphins to Sue Grafton to Sojourner Kincaid Rolle to TC Boyle,” said George Yatchisin, “It is only fitting that a poetry component has become a part of Santa Barbara’s resonant self-mythologizing and creative spirit. To that I say, ¡Viva la Poesía!”

The Fiesta Poetry Contest is open to writers in the following age categories:  11-and-under, ages 12 to 18, and 19+ years old.  First-place prizes, respectively, of $100, $200, and $300 will be handed out. Runners-up in each of the three age categories will receive bookstore gift certificates.

The deadline for submissions is May 31.

Fiesta Poetry Contest

Before filling out the form, Click here to download a list of rules and regulations
Name(Required)
Parent or Guardian's Name (If entrant is under 18)
Address(Required)
This is to contact you about notifications and questions.
Age Category(Required)
First Poem Title(Required)
Second Poem Title (Optional)
Third Poem Title (Optional)
Consent and Verification(Required)
You must agree to the items above for your poem(s) to be considered.
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Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 3.
    Please upload your poems here in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. You can upload three files.
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