Honoring his passion for photography, Old Spanish Days El Presidente Fritz Olenberger chose “Capture the Spirit” as this year’s Fiesta theme.

While the five-day schedule of Santa Barbara events is still a few months away, preparations are well underway. Later this week, auditions will be held to select this year’s Spirit of Fiesta and Junior Spirit of Fiesta dancers who will perform throughout Fiesta.

Olenberger said the theme of “Capture the Spirit” has a double meaning. 

“Photographing the dance is my passion,” Olenberger said. “I have a feeling of pins and needles when I photograph these dancers. I have this feeling of connection with the dancers.”

However, Olenberger said, a camera isn’t needed to capture the spirit of Fiesta. 

“You just need to enjoy it, come, and I invite everyone to come and enjoy and be a part of this spirit, a part of this magic, this upcoming Fiesta year,” Olenberger said.

Olenberger said they’re also looking for ways to restore the Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo, which has historically been held at the Earl Warren Showgrounds during Old Spanish Days.

Organizers announced last week that the event was canceled “due to increasing operational and production challenges.”

Olenberger told Noozhawk that he formed a committee with the Old Spanish Days executive committee and three past presidents who either have been associated with the rodeo committee in the past or with the Earl Warren Showgrounds. He said the committee will be meeting this week to try to find some solutions.

“I don’t think the solution is going to happen with one more single meeting; it’s going to take a little while,” Olenberger said. “A rodeo is a big thing. It’s got a lot of moving parts, but I can tell you, based on the response we’ve had with social media, that a lot of people are very disappointed to hear this, but I pledge that I will try and bring something back this year.”

There are also plans to add a second mercado to this year’s festivities. There is already Mercado De la Guerra, which is a market with food, drinks, performance stages, and vendors selling clothing and other items.  

Old Spanish Days traditionally held Mercado Del Norte at MacKenzie Park, but didn’t have it last year, and in 2023 moved it to La Playa Stadium at Santa Barbara City College.

“We’ve been planning a second mercado for quite some time, but there are some issues that we have to work out, and we’ve got to make this decision very soon,” Olenberger said. 

The 2024 Spirit of Fiesta, Georgey Taupin, reflected on her time as Spirit, saying the memories will always stay with her and that she was looking forward to Saturday’s auditions for this year’s dancers. 

“I’m overjoyed for all the participants, many of whom are my dear friends, and I cannot wait to pass this title on to a no doubt sensational dancer who I look forward to watching shine so radiantly in this upcoming Fiesta season,” Taupin said. 

Taupin added that this year’s theme is a reminder to savor all the fleeting moments during Fiesta. 

“Despite the ending of this era for me, thanks to this year’s El Presidente, I can reminisce and relive so many precious moments because of Fritz’s photography,” Taupin said. 

After auditions, the next Fiesta event will be La Primavera on May 17, when the official poster and pin for Fiesta 2025 will be revealed. 

Old Spanish Days Fiesta is set to take place from July 30 to Aug. 3.

Old Spanish Days leaders, including Melissa Robledo Pulido, David Bolton and Colin Hayward, met at the Lobero Theatre on Monday to announce this year’s theme.