Fiesta 2018 Celebrates Traditions
The 94th edition of Old Spanish Days [OSD] Fiesta is nearly upon us.
This year’s theme is “Tradition and Celebration”, noted by La Presidenta Denise Sanford, who declares, “Traditions are the very foundation by which individuals and families construct their identities, creating the bonds of community. To celebrate our community’s traditions,” she says, “is to honor its history.”
Fiesta was founded in 1924 by a collaboration of then-Santa Barbara mayor Charles M. Andrea, with local businesses and the grand re-opening of the Lobero Theatre. It was established as a summer celebration to encourage tourism and pay tribute to the heritage that founded the town in the cultures of Spain, Mexico, and the Native American Indians.
“One of festival and gaiety,” Mayor Andrea declared, “which shall be known as Old Spanish Days, the spirit of old Santa Barbara shall be lived again and again, and the new Santa Barbara shall give way to the traditions of the city’s founders.” In 1926, the group of merchants who had formed the first official Old Spanish Days committee, along with members of the parade committee, met with Dwight Murphy and established the non-profit corporation of Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Inc.with Murphy, its first Presidente.
A 33-year Montecito Fiesta tradition held at the Coral Casino Biltmore was the renowned Noche de Gala, from 1960 through 1994, likely spearheaded by members of the Coral Casino. I met with gala historian Herb Barthels, DDS, who has many a scrapbook filled with its invitations, photos, and memorabilia. Herb recalls that, “It was the gala of galas, one of pageantry and tradition. Even the governors of California came by initiation of Thomas M. Storke. Governors who attended Fiesta and Noches de Gala included James Rolf, Frank Merriam, Earl Warren, Goodwin Knight, and Pat Brown. Classic Montecito supporters of the gala were Adele and Leighton Wilkie, with daughter Bonnie and son Michael, who both still support OSD, chaplain William S. Campbell, Stewart and Katherine Abercrombie, Gaviota rancher J.J. Hollister III and his wife, Barbara (“Babs“),judge Floyd C. Dodson Jr, Dr. William and Mary Jackson, Beverly Jackson, Paul Ridley-Tree and Leslie, and many other town notables. The gala was open to the public with the 1991 ticket price at a mere $65 per person.
Mr. Barthels was OSD El Presidente in 1991 and called in the “old guard” to revive the gala to its early high traditional standards by hiring two orchestras and paying out of pocket for an unlimited decoration committee budget. It survived another three years, giving way to what Herb says was “being diluted throughout the year by other large gala OSD events and also the fact that dedicated people who started Noche de Gala are no longer here or moved away.”
Growing up in Montecito, and still with strong ties to its community, David Bolton, OSD Division chief of External Relations, recalls fondly, “Growing up in Montecito, I remember everything of Fiesta quite well, as it was such a big part of the community. From the Friday parade to the great food, Fiesta would always fill the summer air of early August. Restaurants along Coast Village had special menus and music, and every year my mom would pick up some of the best enchiladas I had from Mrs. Fiori’s on De La Vina Street near Mission. She only offered those enchiladas around Fiesta.
“The first time I dressed in Fiesta attire, I think I was five. We had just moved to Montecito and my dad had a patient in Ojai (he was a chiropractor in the upper village) – her name was Mrs. Mays. We went there to visit her the Saturday of Fiesta, and she always had on the finest Fiesta outfits with jewelry and everything. Our parents had my brother and I dress ‘Fiesta.’ I wore a poncho and a sombrero. I still have the picture we took. One year when I was 15, my friend Lee and I snuck into Noche de Gala. We had spent the day at the Coral Casino, and as everyone cleared out at the end of the afternoon so the club could get ready for the evening event, we hid in the two closets in his parents’ upper cabana. After the usual Biltmore security sweep, we came out, got dressed, and then went down the stairs to the party. What an experience. I am glad I had the chance to attend one of these events. There have been none in Montecito since 1994.”
David also wanted readers to know that new this year for the Fiesta Parade is a shaded VIP grandstand seating area at Cabrillo Boulevard and State Street: “Think Rose Parade seating, with reserved parking at the lots on Cabrillo included in the ticket price.” This was added to encourage those who perhaps became discouraged over the years to find parking and a place to stand in the four-people-deep crowds along the sidewalks to view one of the nation’s largest equestrian parades.
Fiesta parade is one not to miss, as it embodies both the old and new traditions, showcasing more than 600 award-winning horses, carriages, and covered wagons. The historical section of the parade has story-telling floats and descendants of local Native Americans, Spanish pioneers, and the Native sons and daughters of the Golden West. It’s as close to history one can get.
Fiesta Week celebration commences with La Recepción del Presidente on Sunday, July 29, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. There, all the past Presidentes of Fiesta are honored. It features an official receiving line with La Presidenta Denise Sanford, her family, the Spirits of Fiesta, Saint Barbara and Fiesta Vice Presidentes, live performances by the 2018 Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta, and a traditional Mexican sit-down dinner.
All OSD events are listed on their website event page: La Fiesta Pequeña [Little Fiesta] at the SB Mission that starts the week off, the performers at the Courthouse for Noches de Ronda and Tardes de Ronda, the Competencia De Los Vaqueros [Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association events],great live bands, and food at the Mercados at de la Guerra Plaza, Mackenzie Park, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Many booths at the Mercados are sponsored by local charitable organizations, with proceeds supporting their programs.
