Volunteers help decorate the float the day before the parade. Photo by Suzi Calderon Bellman.
The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) in partnership with the California Missions Foundation produced a float entry for this year’s El Desfile Historico, Old Spanish Days‘ Fiesta Parade, on Friday, August 3. We are grateful to SBTHP’s volunteers, many of whom are the descendants of original Presidio families, who came out on the day prior to the parade to construct the railing and decorate the float. Float volunteers include Ann Calderon Schroeder, Betty Calderon Ramos, Celina Ramos, Darlene Craviotto, Phillip Levien, Fred Lopez, Tom Lopez, Mark S. Lopez, Melinda Romero, Patricia Tagles, Suzi Calderon Bellman and Rocky Bellman.
Members of Los Soldados del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara lead the way. Photo by Fritz Olenberger.
SBTHP’s entry honors El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and the peoples who founded the site in 1782. The float and associated walking entry featured over 40 people, including several members of Los Soldados del Real Presidio de Santa Bárbara, early California dancers from Baile de California, and musician Luis Moreno. In addition, over one dozen descendants of Presidio families and several staff members from Channel Coast District California State Parks led by Channel Coast District Superintendent Danita Rodriguez rode the float and marched with the entry.
Presidio Descendants, California State Parks rangers and volunteers walk behind the float. Photo by Suzi Calderon Bellman.
Baile de California performs on the float with musical support from Luis Moreno. Photo by Fritz Olenberger.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s one of our largest entries ever and a huge success! We hope to see all of you back with us in 2019.