The official theme of this year’s Fiesta will be ¡Vamos a Bailar! (Let’s Dance!), Old Spanish Days has announced.
Each year, the presidente of Fiesta choses a theme that will set the tone for the coming year. In making his selection, 2020 El Presidente Erik Davis said he was inspired by the way dance is so deeply connected to all aspects of Fiesta.
“For me, dance embodies the joy, emotion and true spirit of Fiesta,” Davis said. “The amazing dancing you will see throughout the Fiesta season honors our history, captures our traditions, and celebrates our Santa Barbara story. My hope is that you will join us in the dance of Old Spanish Days.”
Celebrated since 1924, Fiesta is unique among festivals in that it is run by a volunteer board of directors and supported by one full-time staff member. The board oversees all of the volunteer committees that support 19 official Old Spanish Days events and activities in 14 venues citywide. Fiesta 2020 takes place Aug. 5-9.
Davis also noted that tickets for the Spirit of Fiesta Auditions, where the 2020 Spirit of Fiesta and Junior Spirit of Fiesta will be chosen, are now on sale via the Old Spanish Days website, www.sbfiesta.org.
“The spirit auditions are one of my very favorite events of the year,” said Davis. “I hope you add Saturday, April 18, to your Old Spanish Days calendar.”
To read the official proclamation and find more information, visit www.sbfiesta.org.
Upcoming events include:
Spirit of Fiesta Auditions April 18
La Primavera May 16
Fiesta Ranchera June 18
Fiesta Costume Sale July 11
Recepción del Presidente Aug. 2
La Fiesta Pequeña Aug. 5
Mercado de la Guerra and Mercado del Norte Aug. 5-8
La Misa del Presidente Aug. 6
Digs (Celebración de los Dignatarios) Aug. 6
Noches de Ronda Aug. 6-8
El Desfile Histórico (Parade) Aug. 7
Children’s Parade Aug. 8
Arts & Crafts Show Aug. 8-9
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.