Despite the rain, it was time to “Saddle Up” on Saturday for the 64th annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano.
Celebrated every March to coincide with when the swallows return from Argentina after winter, the annual event’s theme this year, “Saddle Up San Juan,” was a nod to the city’s illustrious equestrian background.
“As we look around, so much of our history is disappearing,” said Fiesta Association President Jim Taylor. “But this event is a way for us to revive that history and teach everyone what San Juan Capistrano once was.”
The parade had an array of participants, including local schools and businesses, as well as an estimated more than 200 horses. Matt Gaffney, a longtime San Juan Capistrano resident, was chosen to lead this year’s parade as the grand marshal.
After the parade, attendees were invited to stop by the Mercado Street Faire at the Historic Town Center Park. There, attendees could choose from a variety of food options, home decor and western-themed attire shops, all while live music filled the park.
The first official Swallows Day Parade took place in 1954, and ever since, it has grown into one of the biggest community events in Orange County, Taylor said.
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