Old Spanish Days Past and Present: Come Meet the 2015 El Presidente

Join your Newcomer Club friends as we explore and celebrate the upcoming Santa Barbara tradition of Fiesta! Learn the history of Old Spanish Days, and more recent events like participation in the nationally-televised 2015 Tournament of Roses Parade.  

Meet and greet Cas Stimson, the 2015 Fiesta El Presidente and hear how a local citizen earns this honor each year. Fiesta history overview and Q&A with Erin Graffy, Santa Barbara Historian and Old Spanish Days Board Director. There will also be an opportunity to purchase Fiesta books, posters and collectible pins.

Reception and talk at the historic El Paseo Restaurant which embodies the proud history of Santa Barbara. The restaurant was first built in 1922 as part of an 1826 adobe complex. Architect James Osborne Craig designed and restored many of the existing buildings and added the Spanish village and "Street in Spain" surrounding the restaurant. The El Paseo complex was an inspiration for the revival of Spanish Colonial architecture in Southern California, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Date: Wednesday July 8

Time: 5pm until 7pm

Location: El Paseo Restaurant inside the quaint El Paseo Courtyard 813 Anacapa St, Downtown Santa Barbara (805) 962-6050 (Follow the Newcomer signs and the inside passage ways to the restaurant entrance - which is not on the street)

Cost: $25 includes the appetizer buffet 

(no-host bar with half-price margaritas until 6pm)

Parking: Public lots and street parking on and off Anacapa Street, Downtown SB.

Limit is now 50 guests; Questions? Contact Sheri Mobley at 213 509-9816.