Fiesta officially began Saturday evening as hundreds gathered for La Recepción del Presidente at the Santa Barbara Club.
The annual reception brought together current and former El Presidentes, volunteers, performers and long-time supporters for dinner, entertainment and a night of dancing at the site where the first idea of Old Spanish Days was conceived more than a century ago.
“At the heart of what Fiesta represents is the culture and community,” attendee and Santa Barbara native Juan Ramos said. “And to see them coming year after year for over 102 years? It’s been really amazing to see.”
Strings of lights and colorful papel picado stretched across the club’s courtyard as guests in traditional Fiesta attire gathered around tables, watched live performances and mingled beneath the palm trees.
Ramos, 30, said his earliest Fiesta memories date back to preschool, when his family brought him to children’s parades and other celebrations.
“I’m a born-and-raised local, and I find ways to get back in other capacities,” he said. “I’m just happy to be here.”
El Presidente Colin Hayward described the evening as the “perfect kickoff” to Old Spanish Days and a tribute to the past El Presidentes who have led the organization.
Music played, dancers performed and guests mingled throughout the evening, with Hayward saying that, for him, one of the night’s most memorable moments was a flamenco duet.
“The entertainment that we had was the best that you’ll ever see,” Hayward said.
He also credited the volunteers who helped transform the Santa Barbara Club courtyard for the celebration.
“I would like to thank the volunteers for the time, effort and focus that they put into creating an event like this that is so special,” Hayward said. “It’s such a snapshot in time that is perfect for all Spanish days, and then in the spirit of fiesta.
Hayward said the organization’s support for young people and the arts continues to draw people into Fiesta after more than a century.
“People intuitively want to be part of that,” he said. “They open their hearts, and they support it.”
For Richard Garnica, the event offered a unique opportunity to support the traditions of Santa Barbara and reconnect with members of the community.
Garnica, a fourth-generation Santa Barbaran, first attended the reception last year at the suggestion of his partner.
They returned this year because of the sense of community they experienced.
“It’s a beautiful thing, and I love to be a part of it and meet the great people of Santa Barbara,” Garnica said.
As the owner of RG Photography, Garnica said events like the reception also allow local residents and business owners to strengthen relationships formed elsewhere in the community.
“It’s just such a small community,” he said. “It’s beautiful to be able to come together and say, ‘I just saw you last week,’ or ‘I know you. I went to high school with you’”
Old Spanish Days traces its organizational beginnings to a group of Santa Barbara Club members who gathered there after Santa Barbara’s first Fiesta in 1924 and sought to preserve the celebration for future years.
“To be here tonight, with this room filled, to be able to look back at those individuals that made all of this possible, and for all of us to celebrate and look to the future, it’s a great evening,” said former El Presidente David Bolton.
Hayward said he is now looking forward to La Fiesta Pequeña when he and his wife will welcome the crowd from the stage at the Old Mission Santa Barbara.
“It’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said.
