[Noozhawk’s note: One in a daily series leading up to Old Spanish Days Fiesta.]
The Junior Spirit of Fiesta has been a part of Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta since 1965 when Jeannine Lopez was selected as the first Junior Spirit of Fiesta.
There have been 58 Junior Spirits since. Aleenah Soriano is the 2024 Junior Spirit of Fiesta.
Junior Spirits can participate from age 8 to 10. A dancer is eligible to be Spirit of Fiesta from age 16-20.
2024 Junior Spirit Aleenah Soriano, right, with 2024 Spirit of Fiesta Georgey Tauupin. Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
2024 Junior Spirit Aleenah Soriano. Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
2023 Junior Spirit Olivia Nelson rides with Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse in last year’s Old Spanish Days historical parade. Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo
Today, a dancer must sit out the competition for six years between eligibility for Junior Spirit and eligibility for Spirit.
“All of the young dancers have worked hard to try and achieve the title of Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta,” said Melissa Robledo Pulido, Spirit of Fiesta in 1989 and currently division chief of Fiesta Dance Entertainment.
“For them, it’s an amazing accomplishment and an honor to represent Old Spanish Days, their fellow dancers and our beautiful community.”
While the Spirit of Fiesta leads the Friday historical parade, the Junior Spirit rides in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by that year’s Santa Barbara mayor.
In addition, the Junior Spirit traditionally leads the Saturday Fiesta Children’s Parade dressed in a white dress and showcasing the youth and vitality that is a big part of Old Spanish Days.
In all, 12 Junior Spirits of Fiesta have gone on to also be selected Spirit of Fiesta. A highlight each year since the mid-1990s is Fiesta Pequeña, where the Junior Spirit joins the Spirit dancing on the steps of the Santa Barbara Mission.
Fiesta Pequeña 2024 takes place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31. It is the official opening of Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
Story Behind the Spirit Sash
Today a sash is worn by both the Spirit of Fiesta and the Junior Spirit. But this was not always the case. In fact, the first time a sash was worn, 1980, it was worn only by the Spirit.
According to Marge Romero, the longest serving board member of Old Spanish Days, her daughter, Cindy (Romero) Simentales, was the first to be awarded the Spirit sash.
The tradition, Romero said, began because there was frequently confusion at public events exactly who was that year’s Spirit and who was the Junior Spirit as the Junior Spirit in 1980, Elizabeth Pettit, was much taller than the Spirit.
The committee felt awarding a sash to the Spirit would clearly distinguish who was the Old Spanish Days Spirit of Fiesta.
Later, the committee decided to also award a sash to the Junior Spirit, and that tradition of dual sashes continues today.
Old Spanish Days 2024, the Centennial, runs July 31-Aug. 4. Click here for a complete calendar of Fiesta events.
¡Viva el Centenario!
