SWALLOWS PERFORM MISSION FLYOVER
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA. – Mission San Juan Capistrano’s St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows celebration drew more than 3,800 visitors Saturday, not counting dozens of the most welcomed visitors of all — the swallows themselves.
Several times during a day filled with music, dancing and performances, swarms of swallows were seen flying over the Mission, as noted by Dr. Charles Brown, a preeminent expert on swallows from the University of Tulsa in attendance to give a lecture on the migrating birds.
“It was an inspiring sight to see the swallows on a day when new and old traditions were celebrated,” said Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, Executive Director of the Mission. “Our guests enjoyed the Mission and hopefully everyone left with a sense of its continued relevance and vibrant offerings as a landmark and museum.”
The day also featured the debut of the Mission’s newest bell ringer, Nathan Banda.
The 2011 Swallows’ Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 26th. The Fiesta de la Golondrinas celebrates the legend of the return of the swallows to the San Juan Capistrano Mission on St. Joseph’s, March 19th. This event is the reason behind all the festivities.
The Parade takes place in down-town San Juan Capistrano. This is the nation’s largest non-motorized parade. It is totally organized and presented by the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association. Arrive early; most street closures are by 10.00 a.m. The parade begins promptly at 11 am.
Traditionally, it is a fun, family event that celebrates the return of the swallows. Call (949) 493-1976 for more information.
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); $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.
