Celebrating the annual return of the swallows to San Juan Capistrano, California, each spring from South America, thousands of residents and other locals gathered in the city’s Old Town district March 25 with a parade, food and drink, and live entertainment.
This year’s parade theme was “Back in the Saddle Again,” in honor of the return of horses after a swine flu outbreak in 2022 prevented them from participating. The parade had also been canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID restrictions.
Children laughed and chatter abounded as locals lined Camino Capistrano Street in cowboy hats and boots enjoying the parade under a sunny blue sky.
“This is [my family’s] favorite day of the year,” resident Benn McCallister told The Epoch Times. “I was born on Swallow’s Day. The city of San Juan Capistrano and the parade mean a lot to me and my family.”
Familiar faces were aplenty among those in the parade, including Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, an entire wagon of the city’s councilors and their children, the local “Fiesta de Las Golondrinas” marching troupe, and many more.
Some, however, expressed disappointment that actor Dennis Quaid dropped out at the last minute as the parade’s grand master due to a scheduling conflict, according to city officials.
“That was really unfortunate. Everyone was so excited to see him,” parade attendee Nigel Freidericks told The Epoch Times. “Hopefully he can make it up next year.”
Olympic equestrian coach Robert Ridland, who manages the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park along with his wife, Hillary Ridland, replaced Quaid in the role.
Other festivities included live band entertainment including the San Diego band “Whiskey Dodge,” playing alongside the event’s marketplace and food-packed plaza.
Equestrian-clad guests flocked the specialty food court featuring char-broiled tacos and burritos stuffed with hot cheetos and melty queso, bacon-wrapped hotdogs, saucy “birria” brisket, and fried chicken, among other delicacies.
Also, local artisans sold one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry, candles, toys, signs, and more.
This year marked the parade’s 63rd anniversary, hosted by the Fiesta Association of San Juan Capistrano, a local group responsible for planning multiple events throughout the city each year.
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