Mission San Juan Capistrano joined the community in welcoming the return of the swallows with its annual celebration this weekend.
Along with marking the time of year when migrating swallows return to the area from their winters in South America, the mission’s celebrations on Sunday included its recognition of the Catholic Church’s St. Joseph’s Day.
Both the mission’s feast day and celebration of the swallows have been canceled or reduced in recent years by pandemic concerns; they made their full return this year.
The day started with the ringing of the mission’s historic bells and featured tours, performances and lectures on the swallows.
The mission’s celebration begins a week of festivities, which culminate on Saturday with the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association’s Swallows Day Parade and accompanying festival.
Leading up to Saturday will be the Fiesta Grandé, a night of contests, including deciding this year’s hairiest man winner, on March 22; a frog jumping contest on March 24; and the beloved Hoos’ Gow Day on March 24, when folks caught downtown not wearing western garb are detained by the Fiesta Association’s deputies until they make bail by purchasing a souvenir to help raise money for the annual parade.
The parade, in its 63rd year, starts its route through downtown at 11 a.m. on Saturday and the Mercado Street Faire is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Historic Town Center Park.
Find out more about all the upcoming events at swallowsparade.com.
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