Lorraine Shaw Hillebrand, Saint Barbara 1950
Lorraine Shaw Hillebrand, Saint Barbara 1950, floats up State Street during El Desfile Histórico. The County National Bank & Trust Company in the background is now Montecito Bank & Trust at 1000 State St. Credit: Santa Barbara Historical Museum Collection photo

[Noozhawk’s note: Second in a daily series leading up to Old Spanish Days Fiesta.]

In 1926, Reina del Mar Parlor No. 126, Native Daughters of the Golden West, was asked to select one of its members to portray Saint Barbara during Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta.

This tradition remains to this day, and among her many duties and appearances at official events, she has the honor of riding in her own float in El Desfile Histórico. She also appears in her robe at at Fiesta Pequeña at the Santa Barbara Mission and at Noches de Ronda each evening at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

Old Spanish Days Fiesta is an event unique to Santa Barbara, and this year we all come together for its 100th anniversary.

During these final days leading up to the start of Old Spanish Days 2024, we share with you images and photographs that have captured the spirit of our Fiesta. 

Fiesta 2024 runs July 31-Aug. 4. A special exhibition on the history of Old Spanish Days, Project Fiesta!, opens July 12 at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 136 E. De la Guerra St.

Click here for a calendar of Fiesta events.

Viva el Centenario!

David Bolton is executive director of the California Missions Foundation. His research focuses on California’s role in Spain’s support of the American Revolution, the Donativo Project, and the preservation of California’s mission and presidio heritage. In 2023, he served as El Presidente of Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days, and in 2019 he was knighted at the direction of Spain’s King Felipe VI as a Commander of the Royal Order of Isabel la Católica. The opinions expressed are his own.