A Picture-Perfect Swallows Day Parade

The prospect of “Happy Trails!” -- this year's Swallows Day Parade theme -- was sure to have inspired the birds’ return to San Juan Capistrano, given the sheer enthusiasm of the crowd and an eclectic group of performers and volunteers marching in their honor. 

Swallows Day Parade 2013, the 55th running, was a hit for spectators who flocked to the sidewalks of Del Obispo Street and Camino Capistrano to witness an array of equestrian antics spinning loops and lassos for various philanthropies, 1800s reenactment groups, a Mormon battalion, a band of “rocking” kids, Boy Scouts bearing their banners and a rainbow of flamenco dancers. 

Some 600 horses thronged the route, but the crowd did not play favorites -- service dogs fit with sombreros and miniature horses trained for therapy pulled the heartstrings of the thousands of onlookers. 

Everyone cheered for the parade’s smaller marchers, kids from Ambuehl Elementary, mini martial arts masters, cowboys and girls wearing faux mustaches and pink boots, and the local surf team. 

No matter what the size, the crowds showed support for all entries out for the Fiesta de las Golondrinas.

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