Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara has announced the leadership team for Fiesta 2020. The elected team includes the executive committee: El Presidente, Erik Davis; La Primera Vice Presidente, Stephanie Petlow; El Segundo Vice Presidente, Alex Castellanos; El Secretario, David Bolton; and La Tesorera, Maria Cabrera.

The elected division chiefs: Michelle Bischoff, division chief of celebrations; Andrea Caplan, division chief of dance and entertainment; Angelique Davis, division chief of external relations; Angela Miller-Bevan, division chief of marketplaces; and Brian Schwabecher, division chief of pageantry.

“I love how our entire community embraces the true spirit of Fiesta when we come together to celebrate our community and it’s long-held traditions,” said Erik Davis. “On behalf of the leadership team and the entire dedicated board of directors, we can’t wait to put on another spectacular Fiesta.”

Now in its 96th year, Fiesta is unique among festivals in that it is run by a volunteer board of directors and supported by only one full-time staff member. The board annually elects an el presidente or la presidenta, who presides over the board, and serves as the general manager of the organization.

The primer vice presidente is responsible for the operations of the entire organization and the segundo vice presidente is responsible for raising the funds that allow the historical festival to continue. The division chiefs oversee all the volunteer committees that support 19 official Old Spanish Days events and activities in 14 venues citywide.

In 2020, Fiesta will take place Aug. 5-9 in various locations around the city. First held in 1924, Fiesta celebrates a period of romance and hospitality through pageantry, dance, music, costume and cuisine.

Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to honoring and preserving Santa Barbara’s history, spirit, culture, heritage and traditions. Visit www.sbfiesta.org for more information.

— Angelique Davis for Old Spanish Days.