This first-ever Fiesta Poetry Contest adds a new creative wrinkle to the multi-month Old Spanish Days festivities. The competition is open to residents of Santa Barbara County. The contest will offer monetary prizes in three age categories and an opportunity for winners to read their creative work during Old Spanish Days events this summer. Poems must be inspired by how Old Spanish Days celebrates Santa Barbara’s heritage and traditions of colorful celebrations of dance and music, delicious food, moving song, and the spirit of friendliness and hospitality.

El Presidente Colin Hayward has selected a distinguished panel to judge this year’s inaugural Fiesta Poetry Contest. The judges include current Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin as well as former Santa Barbara Poets Laureate Perie Longo, David Starkey, and Melinda Palacio. The group will be joined by Father Larry Gosselin, OMF, an enthusiastic poet and long-time member of the clergy at Santa Barbara’s Old Mission.

The Fiesta Poetry Contest is open to writers in the following age categories:  11-and-under, ages 12 to 18, and 19+ years old.  First-place prizes, respectively, of $100, $200, and $300 will be handed out. Runners-up in each of the three age categories will receive bookstore gift certificates.

The deadline for submissions is May 31.

Read the rules and regulations and register online.