La Recepción del Presidente ushers in Fiesta week

Fiesta officially began Saturday evening as hundreds gathered for La Recepción del Presidente at the Santa Barbara Club. The annual reception brought together current and former El Presidentes, volunteers, performers and long-time supporters for dinner, entertainment and a night of dancing at the site where the first idea of Old Spanish Days was conceived more than a century ago. “At the heart of what Fiesta represents is the culture and community,” attendee and Santa Barbara native Juan Ramos said. “And to see them coming year after year for over 102 years? It s been really amazing to see.” Strings of lights and colorful papel picado stretched across the club’s courtyard as guests in traditional Fiesta attire gathered around tables, watched live performances and mingled beneath the palm trees. Ramos, 30, said his earliest Fiesta memories date back to preschool, when his family brought him to children s parades and other celebrations. “I m a born-and-raised local, a