The annual celebration of St. Joseph’s Day in conjunction with the return of the swallows is a tradition that dates back to the 1920s in San Juan Capistrano. This year’s historic event, scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, hopes to bring history and new traditions to visitors who attend the event.
“St. Joseph’s Day is special, because it is our chance to highlight our long-observed swallows’ tradition and our identity as San Juan Capistrano,” said Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Mission San Juan Capistrano’s Executive Director. “It’s a time that we get to welcome back the community, the faithful, the students, the cultural arts lovers, and the history lovers to the landmark.”
St. Joseph’s Day is historically a day marked in the Catholic Church as a feast day, which has been celebrated on March 19 since the 10th century. Mission San Juan Capistrano started the festivities when then-Mission resident priest Father St. John O’Sullivan wrote the legendary swallows’ story on St. Joseph’s Day on his birthday in the 1920s.
Today, the tradition may look slightly different from how they were celebrated over 100 years ago, but it is about evolving to keep the event alive.
“It is a challenge in the 21st century with an 18th-century landmark to evolve history and to make sure that we keep traditions going, but that we also embark on new traditions as well, that celebrate the past,” Adams said.
With a collaboration of different histories making a melting pot, the Mission’s history is rich in diverse stories, including Spanish history, Mexican history, Indigenous history, and American history.
The long day of events starts with the very anticipated ringing of the historic Mission bells, followed by Mariachi performances, flamenco dancers, Native American storytelling, and activities for children. Other event highlights include interpretive station tours led by Mission Docents.
“Traditions that bring us together help build a community. Mission San Juan’s St. Joseph Day and the return of the swallows’ traditions are proof of how to build a fabric of this very unique and special place,” said Adams.
Following in the tradition of this event, and further honoring the swallows in the Fiesta de las Golondrinas, is the 65th annual Swallows Day Parade, which will draw thousands to Downtown San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 22. Hosted by the Fiesta Association each year, the parade is one of the largest non-motorized parades in the country celebrating the rich history of San Juan.
The Mission’s celebrated bell ringers prepare to do the honors to open Mission San Juan Capistrano and honor Saint Junipero during a recent St. Joseph’s Day ceremony.
“One hundred years ago, the town was much smaller and very homogenous,” Adams said. “That meant when visitors from all different places started to come see us at the Mission, the town was celebrating, and what emerged from that celebration is the parade that happens every year. The parade was born from the tradition of St. Joseph’s Day, and all the hundreds of people that flocked here are to thank.”
The Fiesta de las Golondrinas is an outgrowth of a school carnival in the 1930s that was held to celebrate the return of the swallows, which then turned into the local equestrian parade known today to draw the crowds. The Fiesta Association began as a committee of the San Juan Capistrano Business Council, which was later known as the Chamber of Commerce.
The original events consisted of an equestrian parade, a trail ride, and a Western dance. Various activities have been added and dropped over the years, but the parade continues. Eventually, the parade became such a large production that the Fiesta Association assumed its own identity to continue on the traditions each year.
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 coordination organization, with approval rights for all Fiesta de las Golondrinas events.
St. Joseph Day is always followed a few days later by the Swallows Day Parade, with the eventful and colorful start at 11 a.m., along with the Mercado Street Faire featuring many local merchants offering a chance to purchase a piece of San Juan.
For more information on St. Joseph Day’s events at Mission San Juan Capistrano and to get tickets, visit missionsjc.com.