Mission San Juan Capistrano to Present Return of the Swallows Celebration

Mission San Juan Capistrano will present its 2007 Return on the Swallows celebration Sunday and Monday, March 18 & 19. The celebration will feature the traditional ringing of the Mission bells, visits by town dignitaries, colorful entertainment, delicious food, interesting displays, vendors, docent tours, Living History members and much more, all to mark the springtime return of the swallows to the Capistrano Valley.
The celebration days include:
Sunday, March 18, Family Day, Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, March 19, will be the traditional St. Joseph’s Day celebration; community presentations, Mission Parish School Performances and press conference. Hours 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. A highlight of the day will be the opportunity to view the Grand Retablo, or decorative altarpiece, at a 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mass in the Basilica Church.
“This is the Mission and community’s biggest annual celebration, the one that made it world famous,” remarked Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence.
The swallows migrate annually to Goya, Argentina in October, and return to their spring and summer home in Capistrano each March. The Swallows celebration began centuries ago when Mission padres observed that the birds return roughly coincided with St. Joseph’s Day on the church calendar, March 19. Singer Leon Rene composed the hit song “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano” in 1939 which helped popularize the celebration, and it has achieved international prominence since.
Faces of the Present – The Mission will also be unveiling “Faces of the Present,” its new exhibit featuring historic photographs offered by visitors.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is open 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. To reach the Mission, take I-5 to the Ortega Highway exit to San Juan Capistrano. Mission address: 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano. Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 4-12, 3 and under free. Admission is free to members; for membership information contact Ellen Pierce, epierce@missionsjc.com or (949) 234-1375. For general information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.