From 1891 to 1896 the Santa Barbara Floral Festivals drew thousands to our city and served as the inspiration for other California towns to hold similar events. The first Festival was put together to honor President Benjamin Harrison’s visit to Santa Barbara. Although the Santa Barbara Club had not yet been established, it’s future founding members and their wives were instrumental in making arrangements and participating in the parade. One of the Club’s first directors, W. W. Burton, was selected by Mrs. Harrison herself to receive the award for the best decorated carriage.
The Club’s members and spouses continued their involvement in the Festival arrangements and parades for the next five years. Though the Club’s minutes say nothing of the subject, two newspaper articles have been found that revealed the Club had entries in the parade in 1894 and 1896 and both entries took first prize. The 1896 article reported “A hay wagon loaded with mustard bloom and drawn by two white horses with yellow harness represented the Santa Barbara Club. It was driven by a coachman in white, and five rural maidens in white carrying hayrakes occupied its summit. For Class D, Best Decorated Farm Wagon, the club received $30 and a Banner. “
Armed with that description, a search through three major Santa Barbara photo archives finally found the match. (Photo courtesy of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum). The quest continues for a photo of the 1894 entry.
Neal Graffy