Dacia and Riley Harwood, and Tom and Denise Peterson have been named honorary el presidentes and la presidentas for the 95th annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Old Spanish Days (OSD) in Santa Barbara has announced.
The four will attend the La Primavera event on Saturday May 25. Tickets available at www.sbfiesta.org.
“My theme, Spirit of Community, was inspired by the way members of our community come together and selflessly donate their time and talents to make Fiesta happen each and every year,” said Barbara Carroll, 2019 la presidenta.
“I wanted to honor the theme and so I chose people who have been involved behind the scenes in our community in a multitude of ways, and each of them has had an impact on making Fiesta successful,” she said.
Dacia Harwood was a founding committee member of Fiesta Ranchera, and continues to be a vital member of that event. Riley Harwood has been on the front lines of Fiesta every year during his years on the police force.
During his assignment with special events, he was OSD’s liaison with the Police Department and helped strengthen the positive working relationship that exists today between OSD and the city.
Tom Peterson has a love of history and the community and is knowledgeable about the carriages in the Fiesta parade, as well as all the horses seen throughout Old Spanish Days.
Denise Peterson’s love of horses has brought her into the Fiesta family through the parade as well, which she has participated in a number of times.
Honorary el presidentes are chosen annually by the current la presidenta or el presidente and do not have any official duties. It’s an honor bestowed on them for their personal support to the current presidente or their contributions to OSD.
Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to honoring and preserving Santa Barbara’s history, spirit, culture, heritage and traditions.
— Angelique Davis for Old Spanish Days.