Costly Event Fees for Japan Concert Cause Concern

About 500 people need to attend for organizers to break even on the downtown San Juan Capistrano event.

A benefit concert for Japan will need a big turnout to break even, since the San Juan Capistrano City Council has declined to waive the event fees. The concert, featuring four live bands, is set for Sunday in Historic Town Center Park in San Juan Capistrano to raise money for relief efforts in disaster-stricken Japan, as well as for the Camino Real Playhouse, which is holding the fundraiser. "We need 500 people to cover the costs from the city for the use of the park before we start making money for Japan," said playhouse President Tom Scott. A fundraiser for the fundraiser was held Tuesday at Ciao Pasta, bringing in about $800—roughly the cost for the city's special-event permit. In total, fees and permits for the event are $3,440.97, …

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Can I Get a 'Yee-Haw!'

The 53rd Annual Swallows' Day Parade drew thousands to downtown Saturday, with many in attendance saying the festivities highlighted San Juan Capistrano's best assets: its Western roots and its small town charm.

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Prepping for the Parade

San Juan Capistrano resident Patti Schreiber contends she was the first person to stake out her spot along today's 1 ½-mile Swallows' Day Parade route. It's her 10th year watching one of the largest non-motorized parades in the country, so she knew the best spot to watch would be just outside of the Swallow's Inn on Camino Capistrano. Behind the bar, vendors selling bratwurst, tri tip, jewelry, sunglasses, hats, lemonade and other traditional street fair food set up for the Mercardo as early as 5:30 a.m. The Mercado opens at 9 a.m.—2 hours before the parade starts.

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Swallows' Day Parade Details

Parade lineup, shuttle service and parade route.

The 53rd annual Swallows' Day Parade will roll through downtown starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. The 1½-mile parade route begins on El Camino Real at Ortega Highway and travels on Del Obispo Street to Camino Capistrano, then north back toward Mission San Juan Capistrano. There are 150 parade entries featuring 425 horses, nine marching bands and more than 3,000 people participating. To see a full lineup of the entries, click on the PDF to the right.  The Mercado Street Fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Town Center Park, off of El Camino Real and Ortega Highway. Multiple street closures will be in effect in downtown. For a complete list click here. Shuttle service will be available at parking lots at Endevco and Fluidmaster, …

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Grab & Go Kids Planner

Grab & Go Kids Planner: Swallows' Parade and More

The week’s picks for San Juan families.

This is the first full week of spring. Gather your little ones (or formerly little—now big—ones) and celebrate with with the mariachis at Mission San Juan Capistrano, or enjoy a free concert at the library.  ANNIE GET YOUR GUN Where/When: Capistrano Valley Christian Schools, 32032 Del Obispo St.; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Why go: If you’ve ever wondered where the phrase “there’s no business like show business” comes from, see this classic musical  Pricing: $12 general admission, $10 students and seniors MARIACHIS AT THE MISSION Where/When: Mission San Juan Capistrano Courtyard, 26801 Ortega Hwy.; 2 p.m. Saturday Why go: Celebrate the arrival of spring with joyful, traditional songs  Pricing: Free with paid admission, $9 for adults, $5 …

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Council Pushes for Sale of Harrison House, Plus Other Council Action

San Juan Capistrano will not extend its lease to the Capistrano Indian Council.

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to not extend a lease of the historic Harrison Farm House to the Capistrano Indian Council. Its decision was based on the fact that the Capistrano Indian Council—which has rented the space for $1 a year for the past 30 years—is no longer recognized as a nonprofit organization by the state of California and has said it cannot afford to pay an increased rent of $300 a month, which is the cost of maintaining the property. The council directed the staff to sell the house and the nearby Parra Adobe as soon as possible. "I don’t believe the city should be the landlord on all of these properties that we have," said Mayor Sam Allevato. "I’d like to see more of them sold off." In the last few decades…

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