63rd Annual Swallows Day Parade & Mercado

WELCOME 63rd annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire

A Welcome Message from San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart

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elcome to San Juan Capistrano for our 63rd annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire!

The Fiesta de las Golondrinas is such a special celebration for our community, and we are so very excited you can join us. This day marks the culmination of a great deal of effort by our Fiesta Association, City volunteers and staff and first responders. So, please let me begin by thanking all of you who have dedicated your time, hard work, and resources for your efforts.

For residents of San Juan Capistrano and our thousands of visitors, this is quite an event! If your schedule allows for it, come early on Friday for Hoos’Gow Day. This is a great day to visit our world-famous Mission and historic Los Rios Street neighbor-

hood, but be sure to dress appropriately or the Fiesta Association posse might catch you!

Many of us start Saturday at the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano pancake breakfast over at the Scout Hut on the corner of La Matanza Street and El Horno Street. After

that, it’s time to make our way over to the parade route. Whether you are watching the parade from curbside or perched in one of the prized restaurant balcony seats, you are sure to capture the spirit of what makes San Juan Capistrano unique and wonderful. The music, the majestic horses and the spectacular dance troupes in their colorful costumes make this an experience you won’t want to miss. I look forward to seeing your pictures and videos on social media!

After the parade, the celebration continues through the day at the Mercado Faire and then into the evening at our downtown bars and restaurants. If you haven’t visited San Juan Capistrano’s restaurants lately, you are really missing out.

We have become quite the foodie destination!

I look forward to sharing the City of San Juan Capistrano’s own unique holiday with you! Viva Las Golondrinas!

SWALLOWSPARADE.COM The 63rd Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire event guide is produced in partnership by the Fiesta Association and Picket Fence Media, publishers of The Capistrano Dispatch, Dana Point Times and the San Clemente Times. Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the Fiesta Association and Picket Fence Media. Picket Fence Media is located at 34932 Calle del Sol, Ste. B, Capistrano Beach, CA, 92624. Phone 949.388.7700, fax 949.388.9977, thecapistranodispatch.com. Copyright 2023.

All rights reserved. Proudly printed in the USA.

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2023

2023

D E I N S T’S E R P MESSAGE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jim Taylor El Presidente

Juana Lau

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he past three years have been quite the test for our Fiesta Association members and all of our volunteers.

In 2020, less than two weeks before the parade, well, we all know what happened.

In 2021, we were still not ready to open up again. Finally, in 2022, things were regaining a semblance of normalcy, the parade was back on, our volunteers were re-energized and . . . boom! Nine days before the parade, there was a statewide quarantine on all horses due to a really nasty equine virus. In spite of the challenges, our members rallied and, together with a supportive community and generous sponsors, we were able to make the 2022 Swallows Day Parade a reality.

For the 63rd annual Swallows Day Parade, we truly are celebrating a return to where we once were. And, again, I thank our members and volunteers, our generous sponsors, our city, and our community.

So, barring locusts, frogs falling from heaven or San Juan Creek turning red, we are going to have a parade!

And I did just knock on wood.

Jim Taylor PRESIDENT

San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association

Treasurer/VIP Chair

Gregg Clapper

Michelle Erca 1st VP, Mercado Chair

KC Shepard

Dave Euzarraga 2nd VP

Karen Stine

Secretary/ Membership Chair

Parade Coordinator

Logistics

Publicity/ Kids’ Pet Parade and Expo Chair

Jonathan Jenkins

Steven Congleton

Donny Whitbeck

Leanna Bradshaw

Jane Westmiller

Taste of San Juan Co-Chair

Taste of San Juan Co-Chair/ Merchandise

Sheriff

Merchandise

LOOKING TO JOIN FIESTA?

Jimmy Ferguson Fiesta Grande Chair

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Support the Swallows Day Parade by becoming a member of the Fiesta Association!

Visit swallowsparade.com.

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A VISITOR’S GUIDE TO SWALLOWS DAY

ARRIVE EARLY

The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, which organizes and presents the event, recommends you arrive early, as most street closures are in effect by 10 a.m.

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t’s that time of year again when the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano.

The streets of the historic town are alive with locals and visitors celebrating the Swallows Day Parade in March. People get to enjoy members of organizations and horses walking by, food and drinks and a chance to see familiar faces and, perhaps, make some new friends.

This year marks the 63rd annual Swallows Day Parade for the South Orange County city.

Along with the swallows returning, it will also mark the return of horses—which were not able to be included in the 2022 event due to a then-outbreak of an equestrian brain disease.

The parade and Mercado Street Faire on Saturday, March 25, are part of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas, or Festival of the Swallows.

The festivities that day will occur in lovely downtown San Juan Capistrano, which has beautiful architecture and great restaurants and businesses. The parade starts at 11 a.m.

To ensure you have the best time, here are some helpful pointers to guide you through the day.

TAKE A SHUT TLE BUS

Taking a “convenient” shuttle bus is also an option. The shuttle is free and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Shuttle bus parking can be found at Fluidmaster (30800 Rancho Viejo Road) and the Capistrano Business Plaza (30250 Rancho Viejo Road, on the east side of Interstate 5.)

The shuttle bus will drop off at the corner of El Horno and La Matanza streets—a quick jaunt to downtown.

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SWALLOWS DAY

EVENTS

THE MERCADO STREET FAIRE The Mercado Street Faire is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Historic Town Center Park on El Camino Real in downtown San Juan Capistrano, just off the main parade route.

There will be plenty of vendor booths to enjoy the food and shop for Western wear, as well as live country music, dancing and play time for the entire family, including a kids’ play zone.

THE SWALLOWS DAY PARADE The colorful parade, Saturday’s main event, kicks off at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a parade awards ceremony at 2 p.m., back in the Historic Town Center Park during the Mercado Street Faire. As it makes its way through downtown San Juan Capistrano, the non-motorized parade features horse-drawn floats, carriages, wagons, plenty of music and demonstrations.

Stay in San Juan Capistrano and Enjoy the Town After the Parade Once the horses and paradegoers are finished passing through, that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop.

San Juan Capistrano is an up-and-coming town with plenty of things to do and enjoy, including in the growing downtown area. There are plenty of restaurants for dining, antique shops for shopping, or you can visit Los Rios Park if you want some peace and quiet after the festivities (and to snap some scenic pictures). And, of course, you can always pay a visit to the historic landmark Mission San Juan Capistrano or Swallow’s Inn if you’re craving some adult beverages and Western music and dancing.

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PAST HONOREES

DENNIS QUAID

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ou’ve seen him on the big screen. Now, get ready to see him on the streets of San Juan Capistrano for this year’s Swallows Day Parade.

Movie star and musician Dennis Quaid will serve as the Grand Marshal for 2023. Fiesta Association President Jim Taylor made the big announcement during San Juan Capistrano’s Fourth of July celebration in 2022.

Quaid is no stranger to San Juan, having played at The Coach House in May 2022. While many know him from films—including roles in The Day After Tomorrow, The Parent Trap and other movies—Quaid is also a musician, a side venture he chronicles and promotes on his Instagram page.

The Coach House performance got the audience that night dancing and enjoying themselves, as Quaid covered The Doors’ “Riders on the Storm,” Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” and other songs.

The entertainer’s shirt was drenched in sweat as the night went on, and audiences clapped along with his musical output.

Taylor decided to ask Quaid that night if he would do the honors of being the Grand Marshal and, from there, the old tradition of having a celebrity in the saddle for the parade began anew this year.

San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart has mentioned his interest in getting a picture with Quaid when parade time rolls around—and, surely, he is not the only person looking for such.

Quaid’s more recent screen ventures include the Netflix film Blue Miracle, thriller movie The Intruder and the Amazon show Goliath.

Upcoming works Quaid has participated in, according to his official website, include American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story and the independent film Broke, which will also feature Wyatt Russell.

THE PARADE’S FIRST GRAND MARSHALS WERE BARBARA STANWYCK, A POPULAR AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS, AND AUDIE MURPHY, ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED AMERICAN COMBAT SOLDIERS OF WORLD WAR II. 10

GRAND MARSHALS Barbara Stanwyck, Audie Murphy Scotty Clayson John Rovick (Sheriff John) Buddy Ebsen (actor) Claude Akins (actor) Monty Montana (actor) James Drury (The Virginian) Gary Vinson Richard Arlen (actor) George Putnam with Special Guest: President Richard M. Nixon Buck Taylor (actor) 1970 Roberta Lynn (Champagne Lady) 1971 Bill Skiles, Pete Henderson, Jimmy Rogers 1972 Andy Devine (actor) 1973 Jeanette Nolan (Dirty Sally) 1974 Brad Gates (OC Sheriff) 1975 Monty Montana (actor) 1976 Jock Mahoney (actor) 1977 Iron Eyes Cody (actor) 1978 Richard O’Neill, Alice Avery 1979 Leon René 1980 Pat O’Malley (actor) 1981 C. Fulton Shaw 1982 Tony Moiso 1983 Brian Goodell (Olympic gold medalist) 1984 Monsignor Paul Martin 1985 Carl Bucheim (San Juan’s first mayor) 1986 Dan Haggerty (actor) 1987 Todd Hart 1988 Rusty Richards (actor/horse trainer) 1989 Peter Sherayko (actor) 1990 Shelley Taylor Morgan (actress) 1991 Larry Bucheim 1992 Tony Forster 1993 Teeter Marie Oliveras Romero 1994 Gilbert G. Aguirre 1995 George Avila 1996 Bill and Pat Bathgate 1997 John and Marie Lacouague 1998 Elarion M. “Larry” Hernandez 1999 Joan Irvine Smith 2000 Melvin M. Rosenbaum 2001 Bill Webb, Julian Ramos, Pat Forster, 2002 Tom Hribar, William Zintl Monsignor Paul Martin 2003 Paul and Betty Valenzuela 2004 Shigeru “Shig” and Miyeko Kinoshita 2005 Gary and Collene Campbell 2006 Millie and Gil Jones 2007 Kay Shaw 2008 Melitas Forster 2009 Wyatt Hart 2010 Arturo and Maria Galindo 2011 Bill and Joan Cvengros 2012 Joe Soto 2013 Jim Curwood 2014 Ricardo Beas 2015 Sam Allevato 2016 Steve Nordeck 2017 Steve Oedekirk 2018 Silvia Mazzeo Pule 2019 2020-22 Scott and Diana Schmitt YEAR 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

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THROUGH THE YEARS:

A LOOK BACK AT PARADE DAY The Swallows Day Parade has been a staple of San Juan Capistrano for decades … but what exactly did those events look like? The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society graciously provided these photos for a glimpse into the past and celebrations gone by.

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MS. FIESTA

DANIELE SMITH and

SEÑOR SAN JUAN

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JOHN “FISH” FISCHLE

or the 63rd annual Fiesta de las Golondrinas season, San Juan Capistrano community fixtures Daniele Smith and John “Fish” Fischle are proudly representing the Fiesta Association as senior dignitaries—another example of their record in community service.

“Having lived in this town all my life and been a part of the Parade and this Community at a very young age, it is an honor to be recognized as this year’s Ms. Fiesta for the San Juan Capistrano 2023 Swallows Day Parade,” Smith said.

Smith has been a San Juan resident for more than 45 years and is also a board member for the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce. She is also

a member of the city’s Design Review Committee (which oversees architectural and building details for proposed new projects in town), the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society and was the 2021 San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year.

In her professional life, Smith works as a real estate agent.

In her free time, you can also find her line dancing throughout town to country music.

As for Fischle, this is not his first time as Señor San Juan. He previously served in the role in 2012 and is “honored” to again take up the mantle.

“My family came to Anaheim in 1903 from Germany,” he said. “I graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

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and also completed my teaching education there.”

Fischle was a high school teacher for more than 30 years and taught photography and local history.

“I have been a member of the Fiesta Association for 22 years,” he said.

In addition to the Fiesta Association, Fischle is also a member of the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association, Spurs and Satin (a local 1880s Western reenactment group) and Dana Point Yacht Club—among other groups.

When Fischle isn’t volunteering with the Fiesta Association, what does he like to do?

“I love to garden, bicycle, surf, travel, play cowboy, dance at Swallow’s Inn,” he said.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 25

SWALLOWS DAY Shuttle Parking FLUIDMASTER and Pickup 30800 Rancho Viejo Rd.

Free Shuttle • Runs 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

PLAZA CAPISTRA BUSINESS PARK

30200 Rancho Viejo

RANCHO VI

LA CALERA ST.

EL HORNO ST.

DON JUAN AVE. LA ZANJA

Equestrian Awards

Staging Area

EL CAMINO REAL Library

SOCCER FIELD

PARADE END

ACJACHEMA ST.

Shuttle Rotary Pancake Breakfast Drop-off LA MATANZA AND Pickup

TENNIS COURTS

MISSION SAN J CAPISTRAN

Blue Dots = Portable Toilets

THERE’S MORE THAN JUST THE PARADE AND FAIRE El Presidenté Ball (March 11, 6-10 p.m.)

El Adobe de Capistrano 31891 Camino Capistrano The Fiesta Association celebrates San Juan Capistrano’s early days and the start of the old West with food, music, and costume contests. Attending one can make you feel like you’ve time-traveled back to when people traveled by wagon.

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Fiesta Grandé (March 22, 6-9 p.m.)

Swallow’s Inn 31786 Camino Capistrano Contests and a night of Wild West entertainment are rolled into one evening of fun. Attendees have previously entered contests for categories such as best existing mustache, best outlaw and best belt buckle.

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MAP & EVENTS

o Rd.

IEJO RD.

ORTEGA HWY.

ANO K

I-5 FWY

HTC PARK: Lost & Found

PO BIS LO

SPRING ST.

DE

FIESTA MERCH

Fiesta Association Command Post

Walking Group & Band Awards Playhouse

Swallow’s Inn

VIP PORCH

FORSTER ST.

Heritage Barbecue

10 Portable Toilets MERCADO

YORBA ST.

JUAN NO

PARADE START

Please help support the Annual Swallows Day Parade.

Festival merchandise is available for purchase at our booth in the Mercado Street Faire.

CAMINO CAPISTRANO

El Adobe 11 Portable Toilets

In the days leading up to the big party, the Fiesta Association hosts numerous quirky activities to celebrate and get the community warmed up and having a good time.

Hoos’Gow Day (March 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)

The streets of San Juan Capistrano Better wear your Western duds this day— otherwise, you might end up in “jail”!

Costumed Fiesta Association members are stationed throughout town in search of city slickers who aren’t wearing at least some Western attire. You may get “arrested,” all in fun.

Frog Jumping Contest (March 24, 4-6 p.m.)

Los Rios Park 31831 Los Rios Street The Fiesta Association’s annual frog jumping contest is a family-friendly time for entertainment and prizes.

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JUNIOR DIGNITARIES

ELOISE GLYNN JAVIER MARTINEZ and

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he 2023 youth representatives for the Swallows Day Parade both attend San Juan Capistrano Elementary School.

Eloise Glynn enjoys reading Harry Potter books, playing handball with her friends at recess and playing softball with a local team. Her favorite subject is math, as she enjoys learning new things in math. She was born in Mission Hospital. Eloise loves living in San Juan Capistrano with her older brother, mom and dad, as she finds the people in town are nice and welcoming.

Javier Martinez enjoys collecting baseball cards, reading Goosebumps books and playing basketball with his friends at recess. His favorite subject at school is math, as he thinks long numbers are cool! Outside of school, he plays soccer and is the proud oldest brother of Carlos, who is in first grade, and Eva, who is barely 2 months old.

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2023 KIDS’ PET PARADE

GIVING FAMILIES A CHANCE TO SHOW UNIQUE ANIMALS

A dog wearing a superhero outfit, a snake draped around a kid’s neck, and ducks were all part of the fun on Feb. 18 at Los Rios Park during the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association’s Kids’ Pet Parade.The annual showcase is part of the Swallows Day Parade seasonal festivities and gives kids a chance to show off their favorite animals.

PET PARADE WINNERS TEAM COSTUME Dominic Pule with his dog Zeus BIRD Lily Marquina with ducks Jojo and Waddles KID AT HEART Margo Kutner with her dog Skylar EXOTIC PET James Glynn with his snake Split DOMESTIC PET Lilly Brazil with her dog Tilly

Anyone interested in joining the Fiesta Association is welcome to become a member and contribute to the history of San Juan Capistrano.

Visit swallowsparade.com for more information.

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THE HISTORY OF THE

SWALLOWS DAY PARADE

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through the seasonal events, in addition to heralding the return of the swallows.

The Fiesta Association is also integral in welcoming new residents to San Juan Capistrano, as the area continues growing. Through volunteer opportunities and promoting the town’s legacy, transplants and longtime residents alike develop a sense of pride for living in this pretty and tight-knit South Orange County area.

The city solidified the Fiesta Association’s importance to the community in 1995 by proclaiming the Fiesta Association the lead coordinating organization, with approval rights for all Fiesta de las Golondrinas events.

The parade was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic—the only postponements throughout the event’s history. When the parade finally did return in 2022, it had no horses and instead allowed motorized vehicles for the first time in the event’s history, due to a equine brain virus outbreak.

Anyone interested in joining the Fiesta Association is welcome to become a member and contribute to the history of San Juan Capistrano. Visit swallowsparade.com for more information.

ating back to the 1950s, the Swallows Day Parade has gone from a school carnival to a community tradition that’s become a signature of San Juan Capistrano’s friendly and charming vibe, as well as a historically important event.

A small and passionate group of residents came together in 1958, beginning as a committee to the San Juan Capistrano Businesses Council, the predecessor organization to the San Juan Chamber of Commerce. This set in motion the transformation of the event from a small-town carnival to an equestrian and Western parade.

Activities have come and gone, but the parade remains an enduring feature central to the revelry and celebration.

Given the growth of the activity schedule, the importance of a sovereign organization to oversee the events became clear—hence, the volunteer group becoming the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association in 1987.

Other civic organizations have linked with the Fiesta Association since then, giving rise to the monthlong Fiesta de las Golondrinas, or Festival of the Swallows.

The Fiesta Association also pays tribute to the city’s Spanish, American Western and Juaneño Indian heritage

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A D R E A P ENTRIES

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Horse Detachment American Legion Post 721 Ballet Folklorico de San Juan Capistrano Black Belt Tae Kwon Do Academy Bootleggers Buccaneers of Tortuga Buy My Bikes Inc. California Highway Patrol, Capistrano Area Canine Companions Citizens’ Climate Education City of San Juan Capistrano City of San Juan Capistrano Sister City Capestrano Italy Code of the West Repertory Company College and Career Advantage Compassion With Action Del Obispo Elementary School

Desert Mirage HS “Mighty Scarlet Regiment” Ram Band & Pageantry Disneyland’s Circle D Ranch Family Assistance Ministries Fiesta Association Goods and Goats Market Great Danes of Orange County Grupo Folklorico Alebrijes Hula Connection J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center Jr. Miss Fiesta Eloise Glynn, Jr. Senor San Juan Javier Martinez JSerra Catholic High School Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation Las Vaqueras Laura’s House Legión de María Long Beach Mounted Police Marco Forster Middle School

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Merced County Sheriff Posse Mike Ahumada - Realtor/Remax Select One Mini Madness Miniature Therapy Horses and Cows Mission Basilica Royal Court Mission Basilica School Swallows Nest Mission Basilica School Walkers and Cheerleaders Mission San Juan Capistrano Mormon Battalion Moulton Museum Ms. Fiesta Daniele Smith and Senor San Juan John Fischle Oaks Middle School Eagle Pride Marching Band OC Fire Authority “Steamer” Parade Team OC Sheriff’s Department OCASA College Prep Oxnard High School Marching SWARM Padre Junipero Serra Riders Rancho Arroyo Rancho Cucamonga Equestrian Patrol - Unit 417 Rancho Jalisco Redwood Middle School Viking Band and Color Guard Ricardo’s Place Restaurant Riverside Sheriff’s Mounted Enforcement Detail Robert Ridland San Clemente Island Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution San Juan Capistrano Docent Society San Juan Elementary San Juan Hills High School Senator Catherine Blakespear SJC YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD, INC St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Supervisor Katrina Foley Sussman Middle School Marching Band TEAM TAIWAN Temecula Cowgirls The Ecology Center The Hole in the Wall Gang The Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team & The Little Miss Norco Cowgirls Jr. Drill Team Unidos South OC Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society Wiltsey Middle School Wildcat Brigade

Taco Bell Dotti Smith Parade Announcer Comedian Mike Hughes O’Reilly Auto Parts Comedians Suzette Masters and Ron Ruhman The Stands Producer Jonathan Morgan Jenkins and actor Mark Schwartz Chase Bank Parade All Stars Landi Morgan and Kirk Morgan The former Marie Callender’s site OC Talk Radio’s Dawn Kamber and radio personality Garrison West

PARADE

ANNOUNCERS Parmiss Mediterranean Restaurant Comedians Tom Riehl and Vince Harper

L’Hirondelle Radio personality David Mason and Spanish announcer Leslie Roberts

VIP Pavilion Rancho Mission Viejo spokesperson Charlie Ware and The Capistrano Dispatch founder Jonathan Volzke

El Maquey Spanish announcers Christina Sepe and Jorge Vasquez

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Swallow’s Inn Fiesta Association members Leanna Bradshaw and Jim Taylor Mission VIP Singers Tisha Bellantuoni and William Crisp

National Anthem Singers Tisha Bellantuoni William Crisp David Blair Montica Kirsch Bryan Vickery Sydney Haik Jena Abril

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SPONSORS

PARADE SPONSOR

Almquist Development and Investment

PRESENTING SPONSOR

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

VIP PAVILION SPONSORS

American Horse Products Stephanie Frisch, Medicare Options Specialist The Toll Roads Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano PacTec Law

Boots Leone

FIESTA ASSOCIATION SPONSOR

DIVISION SPONSORS

Rancho Mission Viejo JSerra Catholic School Fluidmaster Supervisor Katrina Foley

FIESTA GRANDE SPONSOR

The OutPost

MERCADO SPONSORS Capistrano Ford Cefali & Cefali

TASTE OF SAN JUAN SPONSOR Cefali & Cefali

KIDS’ PET PARADE & EXPO SPONSORS

Cefali & Cefali Conservatory and Curiosity 26

TELEVISION SPONSOR

Santa Margarita Water District

MEDIA SPONSOR Picket Fence Media

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CR&R Ed Stewart and Associates ValPak The Dish Boot Barn