[Noozhawk’s note: One in a daily series leading up to Old Spanish Days Fiesta.]
Since the very first year of Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta, and the 1924 historic parade, El Desfile Histórico, a grand marshal has been selected to lead the Friday afternoon crowd favorite event.
From business leaders to politicians, from a Chumash elder to a close friend, the Fiesta Parade Committee in collaboration with that year’s El Presidente selects the parade grand marshal, and this year there will be two.
Long-time local radio personality Catherine Remak and 1976 Old Spanish Days El Presidente Rudy Castillo will each serve as a grand marshal.
This respected local pair join a long list of previous grand marshals, including Pearl Chase, who was the 1973 Fiesta Parade grand marshal.
Chase was meticulous, and took notes during all of her Fiesta interactions. In fact, her archives at UC Santa Barbara have provided some of the material in this ongoing series of Fiesta shorts, as we cover Old Spanish Days history leading up to this year’s special 100th anniversary.
El Presidente 2024 Brian Schwabecher carried on tradition in announcing this year’s parade grand marshals.
Civic leader Pearl Chase served as the 1973 Fiesta historical parade grand marshal. Credit: David Bolton photo 
Civic leader Pearl Chase served as the 1973 Fiesta historical parade grand marshal. Credit: David Bolton photo 
Catherine Remak, right, and Rudy Castillo will be serving as Fiesta parade grand marshals at this year’s El Desfile Histórico. Credit: David Bolton photo
“The selection of our grand marshal is an opportunity to honor individuals who have helped make our Fiestas what they are today,” he said.
Castillo presided over Fiesta in 1976 during the United States’ bicentennial celebration. He has always valued community.
During his La Primavera celebration in 1976 there were 1,000 attendees at Earl Warren Showgrounds.
He was also the first El Presidente to have a hand in designing the annual Old Spanish Days poster. He gathered the four members of his executive committee and each one contributed an idea toward the 1976 Fiesta poster.
The tradition of El Presidente designing the Fiesta poster continues today.
“Rudy Castillo is our oldest and longest serving board member and past presidente,” Schwabecher said.
“Rudy continues to support the board of directors and our celebration, and was deeply moved by his recognition this year as one of our grand marshals, reflecting how much our festival and celebration means for him and his family.”
Remak is no stranger to our local airwaves, hosting the morning show on K-LITE 101.7 for more than 30 years.
She has also championed several local nonprofit organizations as either a board member, emcee or auctioneer.
A product of local schools, Remak has been a parade crowd announcer for many Fiesta parades.
“Catherine Remak is a well-known voice and volunteer leader who has helped numerous organizations with thousands of volunteer hours and millions of dollars raised,” Schwabecher said.
“She is one of our community’s best.”
Fiesta 2024, the Centennial, runs July 31-Aug. 4, with the historical parade starting along Cabrillo Boulevard at the waterfront at noon Friday, Aug. 2. Click here for a complete calendar of Fiesta events.
¡Viva el Centenario!
