Bonnie Carroll
Following years of challenges as a result of Covid, the Old Spanish Days Fiesta historic and beloved La Pequeña 2024 Centennial production attracted thousands to the Old Mission Santa Barbara and was viewed by as many on KEYT 3. It has been touted by countless viewers and attendees as the best La Pequena ever!
Event Chair/La Presidente 2017 Rhonda Ledson Henderson brought a collection of amazing performers to the nights program that worked together and independently to provide an evening that was truly brilliant from the opening with long-time La Pequena singer Irma Segura with Mariachi Divas, Las Ninos De Las Flories, a welcome from Father Joe Schwab, OFM, President of Old Mission Santa Barbara and Beth Farnsworth, Anchor, News Chanel 3, Brian Schwabecher El Presidente 2024 and City of Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse.
A special Chumash blessing was given by Ernestine Ygnaero-De Soto followed by Garcia Dancers, Ballet Folklorico Bell Arts, Spirit of Fiesta, Georgey Taupin, Avellana Studios Dancers, OSDF histories Video, 2024 St. Barbara Caroline Wedderburn, Puro Flamenco, Group Folklorico Cielito Lindo, Zermeno Dance Academy, Grupo Folklorico West LA, Jr Spirit Alleenah Soriano, Xochipilli De Santa Barbara, Maria Bermudez Flamenco, Pasion by world renowend Timo Nunez with Maria Bermudez, Dance Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, Melody Hilario, and Alma De Mexico of Santa Barbara.
The grand finale of La Pequena 2024 was a spectacular dance by past Spirits of Fiesta honoring their 75th year that included Maria Bermudez and Daniela Zermeno Sanchez as artistic directors.
The Fiesta had its first El Presidente in 1925, during the second year of its celebration. During these beginning stages Mr. Charles Pressley was executive director, orchestrating every aspect of the kick-off celebration. Charles Pressley’s daughter Mary Pressley Petrelli and her husband Angelo Petrelli flew in from Delaware to attend this years 100th celebration and honor Charles Pressley’s contributions. To date there have been 77 La Presidentes of Old Spanish Days Fiesta!
The Centennial La Pequena honored beloved Father Virgil Cordano OFM, who was part of the Old Spanish Days Fiesta tradition for over a half century, as well as the extraordinary talent of Kathy Cota, Rose Marie Cruz, Linda Vega, and Spirits of Fiesta from 1949 to present and Junior Fiesta’s from 1965 to present.
This Old Spanish Days Fiesta evening was such a special and touching historic celebration of everything wonderful about Fiesta! Kudos to La Pequina Committee members, Rhonda Ledson Henderson, Chair and David Boltin, Kristina Cabral, Elva Cosio, Riley Harwood, Casie Kilgore, Jeff Martin, Missy Pulido, and Donna Weidl the OSDF board, all the helpful volunteers, and all the generous sponsors like Jordano’s for an unforgettable evening that will live on forever in Santa Barbara’s heart and history books.
Viva la Fiesta!
Definitely the best ever. Thank you to the entire committee. The performances were spectacular, the timing was flawless, the announcers were progressional, and the setting was so beautiful especially the amazing overhead camera angles provided on TV. Well done.