With a goal of overseeing all aspects Santa Barbara’s community Fiesta, this year’s Old Spanish Days Leadership Team includes a cross-section of community volunteers.

From administration to fundraising, from onsite logistics to community relations, the OSD Leadership Team helps to assure a safe and memorable Fiesta for the entire community.

Fiesta 2025 runs July 30-Aug. 3.
 
The 2025 El Presidente Fritz Olenberger will be joined by Primer Vice Presidente Colin Hayward, Segundo Vice Presidente Tony Miller, la Secretaria and Division Chief of Pageantry Casie Killgore, la Tesorera Denise Sanford; and four other division chiefs: Christopher Gusman (celebrations), Melissa “Missy” Robledo Pulido (dance and entertainment), David Bolton (external relations and history), and Sean Malis (marketplaces/mercados). 
 
“With a dynamic and experienced leadership team, we are enthusiastic as we prepare for Fiesta 2025,” said Olenberger. “Fiesta unites our community with public events for all ages, showcases performing artists on beloved stages, and provides critical fundraising opportunities for local charities and service organizations.”
 
Each year, Old Spanish Days’ two vice presidents – el Primer and el Segundo – coordinate Fiesta’s operations and fundraising respectively. They automatically ascend to el Presidente for the two subsequent Fiestas.
 
“Old Spanish Days is working diligently with our strategic partners to make Fiesta 2025 the best celebration ever,” said Hayward. “We look forward to an effective and progressive collaboration with the city of Santa Barbara, as well as the many businesses and nonprofit organizations that, year after year, help ensure a successful festival.”
 
Sponsors are key to Old Spanish Days assuring numerous Fiesta events can be staged free to the public.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara continues to provide the community these vibrant and accessible events that celebrate our rich traditions and culture,” said Miller.

With an annual budget exceeding $1 million, the OSD treasurer (el tesorero), oversees all financial aspects of our annual Fiesta.

“Thousands of tourists come to Santa Barbara for Fiesta each year providing substantial economic benefit to our community,” said Sanford (La Presidenta 2018). “Hotels, restaurants, shops, nonprofit organizations and so many others benefit from the influx of revenue generated through Fiesta and all the related activities.”

Killgore, this year’s la secretaria is also serving as division chief of pageantry, which oversees the Friday Fiesta parade, El Desfile Histórico.

“Each year a dedicated group of people work hard to keep the spirit, fun, and equestrian focus for Fiesta’s historic parade,” said Killgore. “It is a beautiful parade that unites our community and provides a wonderful opportunity for our equestrian community and for the public to view the spectacle along the parade route.”

Fiesta’s annual celebrations, including La Primavera, Fiesta Ranchero, Dignitarios, and La Recepción del Presidente, bring the community together to celebrate and enjoy festivities much like those held during the Rancho Period, a time in Santa Barbara and state history for which Old Spanish Days is based.
 
“Our events unite families, neighbors and community in a shared celebration of culture and connection,” said Gusman. “Old Spanish Days continues to celebrate the rich history and cherished traditions of Fiesta in the most meaningful way.”
 
An iconic part of any Fiesta is dance, and each year a Spirit of Fiesta and a Junior Spirit are selected to lead all the Old Spanish Days activities.

“During the week of Fiesta our local community and those that have traveled from out of town look forward to seeing all the different dance styles that our dancers perform at different venues,” said Robledo Pulido, who served as Spirit of Fiesta 1989.

“This is a busy time for all the dancers,” she said. “They have all worked extremely hard throughout the year to make Fiesta week an incredible experience.”
 
Also at the core of Fiesta are the mercados. “Mercados are where our community comes together over multiple generations for Fiesta,” said Malis. “The Mercado runs for four days during Fiesta week, and offers free dancing, live bands, food and beverages, all served to benefit our local community nonprofit organizations.”

Find details on Fiesta 2025 at sbfiesta.org.