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Fiesta 2020 from home El Presidente determined to bring Fiesta to the homes of SB residents NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
From frequenting the pancake breakfasts and romping around the children’s parade to getting asked to join the board and becoming El Presidente, Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara has always been a part of Erik Davis’s life. Moving to Santa Barbara at the age of six, his sister was a flower girl back in the 1970s and his dad was the president of the Kiwanis Club. He grew up celebrating at Old Spanish Days Fiesta often. Mr. Davis attended Foothill Elementary School, San Marcos High School and studied political science and broadcast journalism at San Diego State University. He returned to the city in 2000, and he and his wife bonded over the Fiesta events, ensuring they attended at least two events a year. The couple was asked to join the board of directors in 2010, and Mr. Davis worked his way through the organization, serving as Primer Vice Presidente, Segundo Vice Presidente, the Division Chief of External Relations and Education, Public Relations Chair, Media Outreach and History Committees. In addition, he has helped with fundraising, Fiesta Pequeña, El Desfile Historico, parade marshals and other key committees. “It goes way back with me,” Mr. Davis told the News-Press. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s a labor of love. Fiesta is so special to this community and it means so much.” The 96-year-old tradition of live concerts, swirling dancers and joyous celebration was affected by COVID-19 like all other festivals. The board announced they will “reimagine” Old Spanish Days Fiesta 2020 by holding its signature events virtually and on television. They have already kicked off “Fiesta music and dance Fridays,” where live performances can be live-streamed on Fiesta’s website. The lineup includes Spencer the Gardener, False Puppet, King Bee and Mezcal Martini. In addition, other traditions were still televised, such as the announcements of Saint Barbara, Fiesta spirits and the audition for Fiesta spirits. “People will enjoy the Fiesta music and dance and history Please see FIESTA on A8
cases up to 26. As of now, there are 389 active cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County. Per Governor Gavin Newsom’s order, many public gatherings and spaces including bars and beaches across the state were closed over the weekend because of COVID-19, and will remain closed. According to the California Department of Public Health’s website, “On July 5, California reported 5,699 new cases of COVID-19. The state now has a total of 271,684 positive cases, which includes a backlog of cases received from Los Angeles County – 3,187 positive cases from July 4 and 2,643 positive cases from July 3. There have been a total of 6,337 deaths in the state.” Please see covid on A2
Local resident Marie Dorothy Powell was surprised at how many fireworks she heard and saw on July 4th. “They were wonderful… I found out the next day they weren’t sanctioned, but I thought it was wonderful,” she said.
RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS
Local residents and tourists find alternative ways to celebrate July 4th By JOSH GREGA NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
COURTESY PHOTO
“We’re going to bring forward history in a way that will encourage people to stay home,” said El Presidente Erik Davis. “We’ll bring Fiesta to them.”
NEWS-PRESS FILE
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By BRIAN MACKLEY The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department reported 171 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 3,655 as of June 6. The report states the city of Santa Barbara had 22 new cases --- bringing the city’s total to 390. With 97, the city of Santa Maria had over half of the county’s new cases. The city of Lompoc as well as the community of Orcutt each reported 11 new cases, however, the Federal Prison in Lompoc has reported no new cases. The city of Goleta reported two new cases, bringing its total confirmed cases up to 70. Isla Vista had six new cases as well, bringing its total confirmed
Spirit of Fiesta Alena Velasco will be among those performing for home viewers, rather than in front of the event’s usual crowds.
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County reports 171 new COVID-19 cases NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
By GRAYCE MCCORMICK
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It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t had an event they had planned for 2020 derailed because of COVID-19, and July 4th activities turned out to be no exception. For several individuals who spoke to the News-Press on State Street Monday afternoon, parties and annual trips were among the traditional Independence Day events that had to be cancelled. Though their original plans for the holiday couldn’t happen this past weekend, most individuals interviewed managed to find some alternative way of celebrating America’s founding. Santa Barbara resident Summer Kirkpatrick initially expected to spend her Fourth of July working a shift at Sandbar, but upon getting the day off, she spent Saturday with a small group of friends for a backyard cookout. The small hangout came about because she and her friends “didn’t have plans” to do anything else locally since Santa Barbara County beaches were ordered to close by the Public Health Department on July 3. Ms. Kirkpatrick said she really wanted to spend Independence
Day on the beach because the pandemic precluded her usual plan --- a trip back to her home state of Colorado. “Usually around Fourth of July, I’m in Colorado and I go to a Red Rocks concert every Fourth of July, and that did not happen this year of course, because the amphitheater is closed. I wanted to spend it on the beach because I actually had never done that before either, and then they closed the beaches. Maybe next year,” she said. Despite restrictions, some out-of-towners did decide to stop by Santa Barbara over Independence Day weekend. Contra Costa County resident Josh Mendez brought his family to Santa Barbara because “the weather is beautiful” and because his family was “tired of being at home.” Normally, he, his wife, and his two kids stay home to watch the fireworks in San Francisco, but this year the fireworks display was cancelled. After spending the weekend walking around State Street and along the beach, Mr. Mendez said his family’s first visit to Santa Barbara didn’t disappoint. “It’s beautiful, we love it here. Please see JULY 4TH on A8
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Comics................. A6 Classified............... A7 Life.................... A3-4
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 4-6-10-20-41 Meganumber: 8
Monday’s DAILY 4: 0-4-1-8
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 20-40-44-45-50 Meganumber: 24
Monday’s FANTASY 5: 15-18-21-25-38
Monday’s DAILY DERBY: 02-05-06 Time: 1:48.15
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 16-21-27-60-61 Meganumber: 6
Obituaries............. A8 Soduku................. A5 Weather................ A8
Monday’s DAILY 3: 5-8-2 / Sunday’s Midday 2-4-1