The Old Spanish Days Friday historic parade along Cabrillo Boulevard will include a pair of Grand Marshals that have deep roots in our community. The 1965 Spirit of Fiesta Marta Holsman Babson will be joined by her sister, Henrietta Holsman Fore, as the 2025 Fiesta Parade Grand Marshals.
“Their love of Fiesta comes through in so many ways — not only through their generous sponsorship, but also in their attendance at parties and their participation in the Historical Parade,” said 2025 OSD El Presidente Fritz Olenberger in making the announcement. “The float they created for last year’s parade was one of the most beautiful I have seen in my 15 years with Fiesta. It was covered with roses and featured their grandfather’s antique Holsman automobile.”
The sisters grew up in Montecito and have enjoyed Fiesta for decades. In her youth, Marta Babson studied ballet and Spanish dance and was honored to be the 1965 Spirit of Fiesta. She went on to a successful banking career in Santa Barbara and later in Chicago. Henrietta Fore has been a recognized leader in business, corporate boards, the United States Government, the United Nations and nonprofit organizations. During her career, she served as the 37th Director of the U.S. Mint, as the Under Secretary of State for Management, and as the 7th Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Both women have been active on a variety of nonprofit and civic boards…