Mission San Juan Capistrano will celebrate the annual
migration of the world famous Swallows back to Argentina with an evening of food, wine and dancing on
Saturday, Oct. 16 from 6-10 p.m.
The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event — “The Vintage” — on the Mission’s
hallowed grounds and will feature local restaurants, wineries and music from the tribute band Steely Jam.
Tickets are $75 person and include admission, food, wine, beer, entertainment, dancing and $25 in chips
for the casino area. A Little Italy section and a silent auction also will be featured during the event, which is
raising proceeds that will benefit the Mission and the local business community.
The Swallows begin to arrive in March from their winter home in Argentina, recognized on March 19th with
St. Joseph’s Day. Between March and October they can be seen building nests in the eaves of the Mission,
and after the summer spent within the sheltered walls of the Mission, the Swallows take flight again,
beginning their migration back to Argentina.
The story of the Swallows is world-renown, and the Mission has produced its own newsreel to highlight its
history with a production that is just like the old MovieTone newsreels of the 1930s and ’40s.
The newsreel debuts in late October and will play as part of the Mission’s Official Welcome Film for all
visitors to view in the Soldiers Barracks. The newsreel focuses on the origins of the Mission’s legendary
bird, and the current state of the Swallows at the Mission and all of Orange County.
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 twentyone
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); $5 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.
