Tag archives: Old Spanish Days
by Paul Vercammen Long before David Bolton ascended to 2023 El Presidente of Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days, just another lofty position and title for him, he slept in his Honda Accord. For four and a half weeks in 1992, he crashed on a futon that replaced the removed passenger seat. David needed to be […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum (SBHM) held its annual La Fiesta del Museo fundraiser on July 22, in the museum’s outside courtyard, which was elegantly decorated with wrought iron chandeliers, Arabic lanterns, velvet table linens, and fresh flowers. The event drew more than 300 guests in classic fiesta attire, with women in elaborate Spanish flamenco […]
Santa Barbara Historical Museum’s latest exhibition, Project Fiesta, marking the 99th anniversary of Old Spanish Days, was a Herculean task. Museum president Dacia Harwood and her colleagues had to sort through thousands of photos in the institution’s Gledhill Library to pick just 99 shots, mostly black and white, taken since Fiesta was founded in 1924. […]
More than 600 guests turned out for the 15th anniversary of Fiesta Ranchera at the 151-year-old Rancho La Patera gardens in Goleta raising in excess of $30,000 split equally between Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society. The fun fête, chaired by the tony triumvirate of Janice Howell, Paula Bottiani, and Jenna Verbryke, […]
Despite its official title, Old Spanish Days is making it abundantly clear this year that it’s not an organization firmly attached to being stuck in its old ways. Not only did Fiesta, one of the area’s most popular and long-standing cultural festivals, earlier announce that it had chosen a male as Spirit of Fiesta for […]
Before Jack Harwood was named Spirit of Fiesta on April 15, people really couldn’t have been faulted for not knowing that a male could actually be chosen as the Spirit – after all, in the 73-year history of the tradition that began in 1949, only girls and young women have been named to the coveted […]
The John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts hosted its 22nd annual Fiesta Finale gala for 144 guests at the historic El Paseo restaurant, raising around $100,000. The fun fête featured myriad entertainers, including the Martinez Brothers, Marco Labastida, Guillermo De Fazio and Giovanna Dan, soprano Camila Lima and pianist Ruy Folguera, and flamenco dancers […]
The John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts welcomed everyone to “Where Fiesta traditions began,” the El Paseo Restaurant for one final night of celebrating. John Profant was born in Santa Barbara on May 23, 1928. His parents, Dr. Henry and Mabel Profant, were very active in the cultural community, helping to found CAMA and […]
Many folks don’t realize there is a group that looks after the preservation of our Santa Barbara Courthouse called the Courthouse Legacy Foundation. During Fiesta they gave their annual party in the Mural Room and adjoining balcony where guests could look over into the Sunken Garden to view the Noches de Ronda show going on […]
The Santa Barbara Woman’s Club gave the first La Merienda since the pandemic. Merienda translates to “snack,” but it was much more than a snack. It was a full-on Mexican dinner with tacos, guacamole, chicken, beef, and salad. Event chair Sue Ziliotto told us, “This event has been going on for 92 years.” All the […]
Our tony town’s annual Fiesta fest kicked off at a sold-out La Recepción del Presidente for 160 guests when 14 past fest presidents with current president Maria Cabrera filled the Carriage and Western Art Museum, accompanied by the Spirits of Fiesta. After a blessing from fun-loving Franciscan friar Larry Gosselin, just back from a vacation […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum was the venue for another Fiesta party. This time a kickoff for the Montecito Bank & Trust and their loyal customers. They had outgrown their own bank as a party place. I always liked going up to the teller window and withdrawing a margarita instead of dollars. Their motto is […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum became a page out of a book about Sevilla with their La Fiesta del Museo Old Spanish Days party in the courtyard. We celebrated the culture, the dance, and the cuisine of one of my favorite places on Earth. My family was lucky enough to live there for seven years. […]
For the 98th year, the Santa Barbara Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo at the Earl Warren Showgrounds kicks off on August 4. Hosted by Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc., the 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to preserving the historic annual event, this event brings together the best horsemen and women from San Luis Obispo, […]
Fiesta fever was palpable when the Santa Barbara Historical Museum hosted its La Fiesta del Museo, chaired by Sharon Bradford, for the first time in two years with 300 traditionally garbed guests helping raise 10% of the popular institution’s annual budget. A colorful variety of musical acts kept the fiesta fans entertained including Juan Zaragoza […]
Fiesta isn’t only about music, food, dance, and arts and entertainment reflecting Santa Barbara’s Spanish cultural past and present, there’s also a pretty healthy dose of rock and roll, pop, and more in outdoor locations around town. Most notable are the twin Mercados at De La Guerra Plaza and Mackenzie Park, both returning for the […]
The Casa de la Guerra Adobe came to life the other Sunday when the Reina del Mar Parlor No. 126 Native daughters of the Golden West gave their annual Pre-Fiesta Tea. Master of Ceremonies Thea Palencia told us, “The Tea had been a part of every Old Spanish Days celebration since the 1920s except for […]
It was a double celebration when Santa Barbara Historical Museum celebrated First Thursday with its new signature exhibition Project Fiesta: History of Old Spanish Days. The latest installation celebrates the pageantry, fashion, and traditions of our Eden by the Beach’s most cherished cultural festival event, which marks its centenary in two years’ time. Highlights of […]
It is a warm summer afternoon in 1950, and you are resting in the shadow of the Courthouse Clock Tower. Your gaze lights upon two well-dressed young ladies as they follow a docent into the cool entry of the Grand Archway. Intrigued by the history lesson unfolding, you mount the staircase and join the group […]
On Saturday May 21, 2022, Fiesta La Presidente Maria Cabrera unveiled this year’s Old Spanish Days poster and pin. The pin is a 3D silver fan that serves as a common symbol during Fiesta performances and in the crowds to fight off heat. The poster features an archived watercolor by Arthur Beaumont with printing by […]
