THE PARADE OF THE SWALLOWS AND THE VISIT TO THE MISSION
(March 24, 2018)
Every year, San Juan Capistrano celebrates the Parade of the Cliff Swallows. The Cliff swallows are one of the 350 species that migrate in the Pacific Flyways. The change from winter to spring brings the birds from Argentina to North America, and San Juan Capistrano is one of the places where they arrive in great numbers.
This annual migration, particularly from Goya, Argentina, to south Orange County, is one of the longest migration routes of any swallow species. The birds stay in North America from March to October. Since the 1800s, the swallows had returned to the Mission in San Juan Capistrano, except in 1990 when they renovated the buildings and removed the mud nests from the Mission’s walls. Today, there is a concerted effort to attract the birds back into the Mission by putting up artificial nests.
The yearly festival “Fiestas de las Golondrinas” (The Feast of the Swallows), which happens in March, is an outgrowth of the school carnival in the 1930s that celebrates the swallows’ return. The feast includes a huge parade with crowds and reporters jamming the streets. The air is filled with Mariachi band music, and people in colorful and attractive costumes march in the streets. Everyone is checking the skies, expecting to see the swallows’ return. This festivity is the source of inspiration for Bing Crosby’s song, “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano,” which became a big hit in the 1940s.
Upon the suggestion of Steve and Frances Yoakem, our SUAF group organized a field trip to San Juan Capistrano to see the parade and visit the Mission. The Mission itself is a very interesting place. It was founded on Nov.1, 1776, by Father Junipero Serra, a Spanish Franciscan priest. In 1812 it was seriously damaged by a deadly earthquake and was never fully rebuilt.
After the visit and the parade, the group visited the Carlsbad Premium Outlet for coffee and snacks.
—By Louella Dolar
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