THE HISTORY OF THE SWALLOWS DAY PARADE

Dating back to the 1950s, the Swallows Day Parade has gone from a school carnival to a community tradition that’s become a signature of San Juan Capistrano’s friendly and charming vibe, as well as a historically important event.

A small and passionate group of residents came together in 1958, beginning as a committee to the San Juan Capistrano Businesses Council, the predecessor organization to the San Juan Chamber of Commerce. This set in motion the transformation of the event from a small-town carnival to an equestrian and Western parade.

Activities have come and gone, but the parade remains an enduring feature central to the revelry and celebration.

Given the growth of the activity schedule, the importance of a sovereign organization to oversee the events became clear—hence, the volunteer group becoming the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association in 1987.

Other civic organizations have linked with the Fiesta Association since then, giving rise to the monthlong Fiesta de las Golondrinas, or Festival of the Swallows.

The Fiesta Association also pays tribute to the city’s Spanish, American Western and Juaneño Indian heritage through the seasonal events, in addition to heralding the return of the swallows.

The Fiesta Association is also integral in welcoming new residents to San Juan Capistrano, as the area continues growing. Through volunteer opportunities and promoting the town’s legacy, transplants and longtime residents alike develop a sense of pride for living in this pretty and tight-knit South Orange County area.

The city solidified the Fiesta Association’s importance to the community in 1995 by proclaiming the Fiesta Association the lead coordinating organization, with approval rights for all Fiesta de las Golondrinas events.

The parade was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic—the only postponements throughout the event’s history. When the parade finally did return in 2022, it had no horses and instead allowed motorized vehicles for the first time in the event’s history, due to a equine brain virus outbreak.

Anyone interested in joining the Fiesta Association is welcome to become a member and contribute to the history of San Juan Capistrano. Visit swallowsparade.com for more information.