Mission San Juan Capistrano will host the 12th annual
Battle of the Mariachis Festival on Saturday, May 14 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the scenic Central Courtyard.
The event, the most popular Mariachi festival on the west coast, is presented thanks to the generous
support of the Thomas J. and Erma Jean Tracy Family Foundation.
There will be live musical entertainment and great food as Mariachi performers compete for cash prizes
before a panel of judges. There also will be the ringing of the historic Mission bells, a special performance
of the National Anthem, folkloric performances by Ballet Folklorico of San Juan Capistrano, bilingual
marionette shows and an exhibition performance by Capistrano Community Mariachi Program.
Mission San Juan Capistrano executive director Mechelle Lawrence Adams and special guest emcee
Melinda Salcido will give the official welcome and introduction at the Central Courtyard stage beginning at
11 a.m., followed by the performance of the National Anthem and ringing of the historic Mission bells.
Mariachi performances, which include competition in both the “youth” and “open” categories, will begin at
11:15 a.m.
Besides crowning the Mariachi winners as decided upon by the judges, there will be another award
presented: The People’s Choice Award.
Visitors may vote for their favorite Mariachi group during the
festival by going to missionsjc.com/vote. Voting begins at 11 a.m. and the winner will be announced on
stage at the conclusion of the event.
Visitors are also encouraged to share their photos #BattleMariachi12 #MissionSJC.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum
that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary
exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in
the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the
South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the
twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year,
over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission
Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission
Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring
the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding
from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing
public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open
Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9
adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $6 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are
admitted free.
Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300
or visit www.missionsjc.com.
