With the historic Lobero Theatre in the background, Old Spanish Days (OSD) unveiled the 2024 Fiesta theme for the iconic festival’s 100th anniversary — Viva el Centenario!
“The 100th year of Fiesta is going to be big,” said 2024 El Presidente Brian Schwabecher. “We are focused truly on collaboration for our community events. The announcement of the theme of Fiesta’s 100th anniversary is an exciting moment for our community.
“Viva el Centenario is recognition for a rare and unique milestone achieved by not only our Fiesta organization, but the sponsors, participants and volunteers that have contributed immensely over the last 100 years.
“The theme, we hope, also provides a new beginning where we celebrate past and present, but also the longevity and passion needed to sustain our Fiesta well into the future.”
Joining OSD officials for the announcement were members of the Lobero Theatre Foundation.
The first Fiesta was organized by the Lobero in 1924 to celebrate the re-opening of the newly remodeled theater. Old Spanish Days incorporated as a nonprofit organization shortly thereafter, and annually has organized the community festival.
“I think the one thing about our history and OSD history that is so incredible is that both organizations cultural organizations have both woven themselves into this community,” said David Asbell, executive director of the Lobero.
“For both organizations it is really amazing how central they are to the cultural life in Santa Barbara and how prominent they are for the last 100 years, and for 100 years more,” he said.
The traditional Fiesta events will be back this year, along with a numerous community fiestas organized by collaborative partners, sponsors, and local families, all celebrating the century milestone, Schwabecher said.
“The Old Spanish Days Fiesta Board of directors is working behind the scenes on the details on all our traditional venues while also working with numerous community partners that have expressed a desire to collaborate to make this one of the biggest Fiestas ever,” Schwabecher said.
“Organizations such as the Lobero, who we share this anniversary with as our originating partner, as well as members of our nonprofit, private and public organizational partners, are all working with Fiesta so that we can maximize our reach into the community so that this generation will remember the 100th Anniversary forever,” he said.
“Our arts community was one of the first catalysts to starting the festival in 1924 here at the Lobero,” Schwabecher said. “It’s only fitting that Fiesta has grown into the festival that it is — deeply steeped in the music, dance, and arts community — and now brought back to the Lobero full circle on their 150th Anniversary and our 100th Anniversary.”
Fiesta 2024, the Centennial, runs July 31-Aug. 4.