Las Golondrinas Owners Art and Maria Galindo Named Grand Marshals of 2011 Swallows Day Parade
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. –The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association recently announced that Art and Maria Galindo will serve as grand marshals for the 53rd Swallows Day Parade to be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011. The Galindos are longtime residents of San Juan Capistrano and owners of Las Golondrinas Restaurants.
“We just love everything about San Juan Capistrano and are honored and humbled to serve as grand marshals of the Swalllows Day Parade,” said Art and Maria Galindo.
Art and Maria met while in high school in their hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Growing up, they frequented many neighborhood taquerias with freshly made tortillas, tamales and other regional food in an open-kitchen, community restaurant. After high school, the Galindos married before Art joined the Marines and became stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Maria joined him soon after, the couple settled in Santa Ana and went on to raise five children.
Art Galindo first came to San Juan Capistrano in the early 60’s as manager of The Colony Kitchen. His career took him in different directions, but he always dreamed of opening his own taqueria style restaurant and thought San Juan Capistrano was the perfect fit.
In 1984, that dream became reality when they opened the first Las Golondrinas restaurant in the Ortega Business Center. They made $31 on their first day of business, but it wasn’t long before word got around town and their reputation grew. Early on, they pioneered a formula for success which included a family run restaurant with fresh ingredients and quickly prepared food.
There are now five Las Golondinas restaurants in the Capistrano Valley which employ nearly one hundred people including one of their daughters and two sons.
The Swallows Parade is a long standing tradition for the Galindo family which now includes thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. While this year will be a little different with Art and Maria riding in the parade, their entire family will still gather as they have for many years on Del Obispo Street to cheer on parade participants.
In addition to being members of the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, the Galindos support the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. Art is a past board member San Juan Capistrano Boys and Girls Club and past president of the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club. Maria is involved with the San Juan Women’s Club and their business, Las Golondrinas Mexican Food Products, have long supported schools and youth sports programs in San Juan Capistrano.
For more information about Fiesta de las Golondrinas events, call 949.493.1976 or visit www.swallowsparade.org.
About the Fiesta de las Golondrinas and the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association
The Fiesta de las Golondrinas is the outgrowth of a school carnival held in the 1950’s to celebrate the return of the swallows. The carnival later added a local equestrian parade, trail ride and a western dance. Various activities have been added and dropped over the years, but the Swallows’ Day Parade continues under the leadership of the nonprofit organization known as the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association. In 1987, a number of civic organizations joined with the Fiesta Association to form a month long celebration known as the “Fiesta de Las Golondrinas.”
2011 Fiesta de las Golondrinas Schedule of Events
Taste of San Juan – Wednesday, February 16, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., El Adobe Restaurant, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. The Taste of San Juan brings together local restaurants for food, music, drinks and fun.
Kids Pet Parade – Sunday, February 27, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Cook/La Novia Park, San Juan Capistrano. (Rain date is Sunday, March 7) Children between the ages of 5 – 12 can bring their pets in costume for contests including Cutest, Most Original, Best Team Costume (owner and pet), Funniest and Most Obedient. Winners will be featured in the 2010 Swallows Day Parade.
El Presidente Ball – Saturday, March 19, 6:30 – 11:00 p.m.., El Adobe Restaurant, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. A formal evening with dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions that honors the Fiesta Association President.
Fiesta Grande – Wednesday, March 23, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Fiesta Grande is a lively evening tied to old west traditions with cash prizes awarded to Best Dressed Old West Man, Best Dressed Old West Woman, Best Belt Buckle, Best Mustache, Best Dance Hall Girl and the judging of the Hairiest Man Contest (Men who were clean shaven as of January 15).
Hoos’Gow Day – Friday, March 25, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held throughout downtown San Juan Capistrano, this event is a long standing San Juan tradition where Fiesta Association sheriff and deputies – dressed in their traditional black and white western wear – search the city and arrest anyone not dressed in western attire or any man who is clean shaven. There are roaming jails in the city and the “jail birds” must pay a fee to be released.
53rd Swallows Day Parade & Mercado – Saturday, March 26, 11:00 a.m. marks the start of the parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano. The Mercado Street Fair takes place at the historic Town Center Park off of El Camino Real and Ortega Highway from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
