Denise Sanford Named La Presidente

Back row (L-R): Stephanie Petlow, Barbara Carroll, 2018 Fiesta La Presidente Denise Sanford, Erik Davis, and Angela Miller-Bevan. Front row: David Bolton, Alex Castellaños, Michelle Bischoff, and Will Powers. Photo courtesy of Fritz Olenberger

Source: Old Spanish Days

The organizing group for Santa Barbara’s weeklong Fiesta has named its leadership and executive team for the 94th edition of one of this country’s largest regional festivals. Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara has selected its Executive Committee, including the eighth Fiesta La Presidente to lead the organization, as well as five Division Chiefs who will oversee a variety of events from Celebrations to Pageantry and from Dance and Entertainment to Mercados and External Relations.

The 2018 Old Spanish Days Executive Committee will include La Presidente Denise Sanford, who joined the OSD Board in 2002, La Primera Vice Presidente Barbara Carroll, El Segundo Vice Presidente Erik Davis, La Secretaria Stephanie Petlow, and La Tesorera Angela Miller-Bevan.

“It is my honor to represent Old Spanish Days as the 2018 La Presidente,” said La Presidente Sanford.  “Fiesta provides our community an opportunity to celebrate traditions and the spirit of people coming together. Fiesta supports other non-profits in our community and provides the opportunity to help support their organizations.”

The 2018 OSD Fiesta Division Chiefs include Alex Castellaños (Celebrations), Michelle Bischoff (Dance & Entertainment), David Bolton (External Relations, Education & History), Jim Wilcox (Marketplaces), and Will Powers (Pageantry).

“I’ve been on the board since 2002 and I have had the opportunity of serving on many committees in many areas of the organization,” added Sanford.  “Having the opportunity to help the Santa Barbara community celebrate a long-standing tradition of history, continuing and growing to get closer to our 100th Anniversary has been exciting and meaningful. Old Spanish Days is a working board made up of volunteers from all areas of the community.”

Santa Barbara’s Fiesta was first held in 1924. The 2018 edition will take place August 1-5.

Past Presidentes Congratulate Denise Sanford as the new La Presidente: Ricardo Castellanos ‘12, Roger Aceves ’’01, Anthony Borgatello ‘09, Kris Kallman ’94, Nick Katzenstein ‘02, Ronda Henderson ’17, Peter Georgi ‘90, Clay Dickens ’04, Michael Dominguez ’10, and Scott Burns ’99.