The swallows decided when they return to San Juan Capistrano, but the community wasn’t waiting any longer to celebrate their annual migration.
After having to cancel the last two years because of the coronavirus, the always popular 62nd Swallows Day Parade and community festival that goes along with it were held Saturday, March 12, in the city’s downtown.
Unfortunately, just in time for the parade’s return, there has been an outbreak of a contagious virus among horses and they were pulled from the lineup, replaced with vehicles – a first in the parade’s history – and other treats for the cheering audience that lined the parade route.
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Participants in he 62nd Annual Swallows Day Parade, like Sue Bedrosian with Las Vaqueras Women’s Riding Group, get creative after a horse illness prevented the equines from participating this year in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An OC Sheriff chopper leads off the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade from the sky in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators watch the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in Jan Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The City of San Juan Capistrano pays homage to horses during the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade. An equine virus outbreak prevented them from being there on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Marco Forster Middle School students show their Swallows Day Parade spirit during the San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Classic cars replace horses this year at the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. The horses were pulled from the parade because of an equine virus outbreak. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Buy My Bikes, Inc. trickster uses one wheel to cruise the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade route in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Marco Forster Middle School students show their Swallows Day Parade spirit during the San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People sign a card wishing horses well in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. They were taken out of the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade because of an equine virus outbreak. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Classic cars and canines cruise through the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators watch the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley As cruise through the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Classic cars replace horses this year at the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. The horses were pulled from the parade because of an equine virus outbreak. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Wienermobile comes to town during the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children with Mission Basilica School take part in the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Juaneno Band of Mission Indians, OC Acjachemen Nation take part in the Swallows Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An improvised horse takes part in the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. Horseswere pulled from the parade this year because of an equine virus outbreak.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Camp Pendleton Marines take part in the 62 annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center take part in the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A little Hula Connection dancer takes part in the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on
Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A masked woman with the Sister City, Capestrano, Italy, takes part in the 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Folklorico dancers add color to the 62 annual Swallows’ Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
