[Noozhawk’s note: One in a daily series leading up to Old Spanish Days Fiesta.]
During this 100th anniversary of Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta, we wanted to take a few moments to recognize a few past El Presidentes.
Richard Hidalgo was El Presidente in 1976 and led the effort to open Mercado del Norte, bringing Fiesta attendees to the Upper State Street core, Santa Barbara’s Northside.
Physician Michael Lemus (1963) did so much for this community, and for Old Spanish Days, that a plaque in his honor was placed at MacKenzie Park, at 3111 State St.
2024 Old Spanish Days El Presidente Brian Schwabecher. Credit: Old Spanish Days photo 
Credit: Old Spanish Days photo 
John Rickard, left, and his son, Dennis Rickard, served as El Presidentes from 1948 to 1949 and 2014, respectively. Credit: Old Spanish Days photo 
William Luton Sr., left, and his son, Bill Luton Jr., served as El Presidentes im 1970 and 1988, respectively. Credit: Old Spanish Days photo
Rudy Castillo (1976) led the organization the first year that El Presidente designed the Fiesta poster. It’s a tradition that continues today.
Castillo is currently the oldest living El Presidente.
Meta Duell (1985) was the first La Presidenta of Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
The Rickards — John (1948-1949) and Dennis (2014); the Kallmans — Robert (1968) and Kris (1994); and the Lutons — William Sr. (1970) and Bill Jr. (1988), were all father and son, and El Presidentes.
The first El Presidente, Dwight Murphy, served for two years in 1925 and 1926; the second El Presidente, Sam Stanwood, served for 20 years from 1927 to 1947; the next two El Presidentes served for two years each before Fiesta’s El Presidente became a 12-month assignment.
In one year, 1972, there were two El Presidentes as the initial El Presidente Alton Derick died suddenly in June, and Walter Hatfield assumed the role through the end of that Fiesta year.
La Recepción del Presidente is set for Sunday, July 28, and honors all past presidents of Old Spanish Days Fiesta and this year’s El Presidente Brian Schwabecher. Click here for ticket details.
Old Spanish Days 2024, the Centennial, runs July 31-Aug. 4, with pre-Fiesta events beginning next week. Click here for a complete calendar of Fiesta events.
¡Viva el Centenario!
