Mission San Juan Capistrano joined the community in welcoming the return of the swallows with its annual celebration this weekend.
Along with marking the time of year when migrating swallows return to the area from their winters in South America, the mission’s celebrations on Sunday included its recognition of the Catholic Church’s St. Joseph’s Day.
Both the mission’s feast day and celebration of the swallows have been canceled or reduced in recent years by pandemic concerns; they made their full return this year.
The day started with the ringing of the mission’s historic bells and featured tours, performances and lectures on the swallows.
The mission’s celebration begins a week of festivities, which culminate on Saturday with the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association’s Swallows Day Parade and accompanying festival.
Mission San Juan Capistrano visitors wander through the Ruins of the Great Stone Church during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Samantha Leigh, Reighlyn Leigh, 4, Forrest Leigh, 1, and Diana Rael, from left, of Corona check out a Koi Pond in a courtyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The official St. Joseph’s Table, honoring the Saint who was known for his effort to feed those in need, sits in an original room in Mission San Juan Capistrano during the St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mission San Juan Capistrano Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams welcomes guests to the Mission’s annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mariachi Tapatio performs the “National Anthem” before the official Bell Ringing Ceremony at the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Dancers from Duende Flamenco perform at Mission San Juan Capistrano during the St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mariachi Tapatio performs before the official Bell Ringing Ceremony at the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mission San Juan Capistrano visitors wander through the Ruins of the Great Stone Church during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mission San Juan Capistrano visitors explore the Mission, including various interpretive stations, during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mission San Juan Capistrano visitors explore the Mission, including various interpretive stations, during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mission San Juan Capistrano visitors explore the Mission, including various interpretive stations, during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mariachi Tapatio performs before the official Bell Ringing Ceremony at the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Vocalist Renée Bondi performs “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano,” accompanied by Mariachi Tapatio, before the official Bell Ringing Ceremony at the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
A crowd looks on as Acjachemen Nation members Michael Gastelum, left, and Nathan Banda perform the ceremonial Ringing of the Bells during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Samantha Leigh, Reighlyn Leigh, 4, Forrest Leigh, 1, and Diana Rael, from left, of Corona check out a Koi Pond in a courtyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Acjachemen Nation members Michael Gastelum, left, and Nathan Banda perform the ceremonial Ringing of the Bells during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mission San Juan Capistrano visitors check out the official St. Joseph’s Table, honoring the Saint who was known for his effort to feed those in need, during the St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Victoria Romero, a Flamenco Dancer with Duende Flamenco performs in a courtyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
A crowd looks on as Acjachemen Nation members Michael Gastelum, left, and Nathan Banda perform the ceremonial Ringing of the Bells during the annual St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Leading up to Saturday will be the Fiesta Grandé, a night of contests, including deciding this year’s hairiest man winner, on March 22; a frog jumping contest on March 24; and the beloved Hoos’ Gow Day on March 24, when folks caught downtown not wearing western garb are detained by the Fiesta Association’s deputies until they make bail by purchasing a souvenir to help raise money for the annual parade.
The parade, in its 63rd year, starts its route through downtown at 11 a.m. on Saturday and the Mercado Street Faire is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Historic Town Center Park.
