JOHN “FISH” FISCHLE

For the 63rd annual Fiesta de las Golondrinas season, San Juan Capistrano community fixtures Daniele Smith and John “Fish” Fischle are proudly representing the Fiesta Association as senior dignitaries—another example of their record in community service.

“Having lived in this town all my life and been a part of the Parade and this Community at a very young age, it is an honor to be recognized as this year’s Ms. Fiesta for the San Juan Capistrano 2023 Swallows Day Parade,” Smith said.

Smith has been a San Juan resident for more than 45 years and is also a board member for the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the city’s Design Review Committee (which oversees architectural and building details for proposed new projects in town), the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society and was the 2021 San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year.

In her professional life, Smith works as a real estate agent.

In her free time, you can also find her line dancing throughout town to country music.

As for Fischle, this is not his first time as Señor San Juan. He previously served in the role in 2012 and is “honored” to again take up the mantle.

“My family came to Anaheim in 1903 from Germany,” he said. “I graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and also completed my teaching education there.”

Fischle was a high school teacher for more than 30 years and taught photography and local history.

“I have been a member of the Fiesta Association for 22 years,” he said.

In addition to the Fiesta Association, Fischle is also a member of the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association, Spurs and Satin (a local 1880s Western reenactment group) and Dana Point Yacht Club—among other groups.

When Fischle isn’t volunteering with the Fiesta Association, what does he like to do?

“I love to garden, bicycle, surf, travel, play cowboy, dance at Swallow’s Inn,” he said.