Chumash Elder Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto Announced as Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal

For the first time in history, a Barbareño Chumash elder will ride front and center as grand marshal of this year’s Fiesta Parade, as it makes its way down Cabrillo Boulevard and past the site of the ancestral village of Syuxtun, which is noted to be among the largest Chumash communities along the South Coast.

Since the first El Desfile Histórico (Historical Parade) in 1924, the event has served as the centerpiece of Santa Barbara’s annual celebration of Old Spanish Days. Now, nearly 100 years later, the parade will celebrate the area’s deep native roots as well, with Chumash elder Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto — whose family has been a part of the community for generations — selected for the most prominent role.

“Being asked to be the Fiesta parade grand marshal is a wonderful opportunity to show our Santa Barbara community that we Chumash are still here and that we have left our mark on this place,” Ygnacio-De Soto said. “Our presence was the first, and our town of Syuxtun, located at the harbor front, was the first village here. Our younger generation is following us, making their contributions to our community and to keeping our Chumash traditions alive. I am pleased to represent the recognition of the Chumash roots of our Ygnacio family.”