Mission San Juan Capistrano Celebrates Return of the Swallows, March 19-22
Festival Includes First-Ever
Italian Heritage Celebration, March 21 & 22
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, February 11, 2009 – Mission San Juan Capistrano will present its biggest annual celebration, the Return of the Swallows, March 19-22, 2009. Highlights include the traditional observance of Swallows Day, March 19, and a first-ever Italian Celebration of the Swallows Return, highlighting the role of St. John of Capistrano as the namesake of historic Mission San Juan Capistrano and the sister-city relationship between the City of San Juan Capistrano and its Mission and Capestrano, Italy.
Traditional Observance, March 19 – The Return of the Swallows celebration kicks off on Thursday, March 19, St. Joseph’s Day on the church calendar, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. The day features the ringing of the Mission bells at 10 a.m. and noon, performances by Mission parish school children, Renée Bondi’s singing of Leon Rene’s 1939 hit song, “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano,” and a reading from the new book, “The Year the Swallows Came Early” and a chance to meet its author, Kathryn Fitzmaurice (visit http://www.kathrynfitzmaurice.com/books.html). Onstage entertainment will be held 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Mission’s Docent Society will offer station tours and share Mission trivia with visitors and Living History characters will greet visitors. Visitors can also enjoy many displays and purchase items from a variety of vendors.
And, at 11 a.m., Mission officials will conduct a press conference for members of the media and friends of the Mission, which will feature the introduction of town dignitaries and special guests.
“Come celebrate with us as we welcome the swallows back to Capistrano,” encouraged Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, the Mission’s Executive Director. She added, “The Mission offers an affordable day of fun for the whole family.”
Italian Celebration of the Swallows Return, March 21-22 – The celebration continues March 21, 2-5 p.m. and March 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., as Mission San Juan Capistrano hosts its first-ever Italian Celebration of food, art and music, featuring 40 Italian-themed vendors from Capestrano, Italy, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. The celebration was inspired by the sister-city relationship between the City of San Juan Capistrano, the Mission, Capestrano, Italy, and their shared namesake, the Italian friar St. John of Capistrano.
Buy a custom painted Italian bowl, eat a freshly grilled Italian sausage or sit by the koi pond and listen to lively Italian music. And, in case you missed it on March 19th, the historic Mission bells will again be run on Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at noon.
Italian Celebration Entertainment/Featured Events:
Saturday, March 21, 2-5 p.m. – Italian vocalist Christina Carabini and Miss Italia 2009
Sunday, March 22, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Roman Holiday Band (including dancers)
Sunday, March 22, 2-4 p.m. – Pat Longo and his Italian Big Band
Canned Food Drive – In keeping with the tradition of St. Joseph’s Day, visitors are invited to bring canned food for Serra’s Pantry, which will be distributed to the needy. Canned food will be collected throughout the four-day celebration.
The swallows migrate annually to Goya, Argentina in October, and return to their spring and summer home in Capistrano each March. The Swallows celebration began centuries ago when Mission padres observed that the birds’ return roughly coincided with St. Joseph’s Day, March 19 on the church calendar.
To hear recorded information on upcoming Mission San Juan Capistrano events, call (949) 234-1315. To view information online, visit www.missionsjc.com. Visitors to Mission San Juan Capistrano’s website can download Discount Admission Coupons and Mission Gift Shop Coupons. Website visitors can also purchase their tickets online before visiting the Mission.
The Mission is home to the award-winning “Voices of the Mission” audio tour, included in the price of regular admission to the Mission.
