Old Spanish Days Fiesta has unveiled the 2023 Fiesta poster, which features a dancing couple at the foot of Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara’s iconic waterfront in the background.

The historic tradition of releasing an annual commemorative Fiesta poster continued as this year’s El Presidente David Bolton presented the 2023 Fiesta poster on Tuesday.

Since 1924, the annual Fiesta poster has been a symbol of that year’s annual community celebration. It is the culmination of a vision and style spearheaded by the year’s head of the now 99-year-old organization.

“Figuring out a way to combine dance, energy, and our city’s beauty became the goal in creating this year’s Fiesta poster,” said Bolton. “It was nearly a year-long effort, but well worth it.

“I wanted to keep things simple and not too busy, and also feature an original design for the poster. In the end, we were able to combine an energetic dancing couple with our beautiful beachfront,” he said.

The poster is an original design that highlights Cabrillo Boulevard, which will once again be the main parade route for the Desfile Historico (Historical Parade).

In addition, the new Mercado de la Playa will be held on Cabrillo Boulevard in the parking lot of Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium.

“The poster represents our strong bond and connection with the incredible city of Santa Barbara,” Bolton said. “You can’t have Fiesta without Santa Barbara, and in many ways, you can’t have Santa Barbara without Fiesta.”

Bolton developed the elements and vision for the poster, then worked via phone and Zoom meetings with a pair of graphic designers from the Netherlands to whom he was introduced by the Consul General of Tourism for Spain.

Fittingly, the lead designer of the poster is originally from southern Spain’s Andalusia region, where so much of the culture celebrated during Fiesta has its roots.

The 2023 poster is available for purchase for $20 on the Fiesta website.

Ten limited edition 2023 posters, printed on metal, will be part of a live auction during La Primavera fundraiser at Casa De La Guerra and El Paseo restaurant May 13. Tickets for the event are on sale at www.sbfiesta.org.

Fiesta 2023 will take place in various locations around the city Aug. 2-6, 2023. Visit www.sbfiesta.org for more information, to buy tickets or to make a tax-deductible donation.

History of the Fiesta Poster (prepared by Bolton):

The first Old Spanish Days Fiesta poster was designed in 1924 by prominent artist Frederick A. Pawley, who won a local contest. There was no poster in 1925 following the cancellation of Fiesta due to the June 29, 1925 earthquake.

In the late 1920s, Fiesta posters were created to promote multi-episode plays at the Lobero Theatre, with Old Spanish Days Fiesta dates listed secondary to the Lobero performances.

For example, in 1929, the Lobero play “1818” debuted, and became that year’s poster focus.

When the plays moved to Peabody Stadium at Santa Barbara High School in 1931, this brought an end to the Lobero promotional posters.

For several years, Fiesta and the theatrical plays were without posters until Seaside Oil Company offered to do a Fiesta poster in 1935. The Seaside tradition continued until 1941, and soon after, our community Fiesta was halted for four years during World War II.

During the war, Seaside Oil was sold to Tide Water Oil. Sadly, following the end of the war and Fiesta’s return in 1946, the poster tradition was not renewed by the new owners.

In 1952, and after an 11 year hiatus, the Fiesta posters returned with a rare grouping, two dancing señoritas and one male — three in all.

The next year, 1953, the famous dancing couple we all know and recognize was first introduced. This iconic couple graced our Fiesta posters continuously for 22 years, with a couple of exceptions including the 1969 poster that was commissioned by the local advertising council.

During the 22 years of the Fiesta dancing couple, the dress changed colors to give the poster a different look. Red was featured 11 times, with other colors including yellow, light blue, purple, and orange.

Everything changed for the Fiesta poster in 1976 — the nation’s bicentennial. To honor the occasion, Old Spanish Days wanted to create a special poster. The 1976 Fiesta poster was a collaboration of the four OSD executive committee members at the time.

Soon after, that year’s el presidente was given the annual honor to design the Fiesta poster, a tradition that continues today.