Local Events

Laguna Beach Music Festival

The Laguna Beach Music Festival is unique for the intimacy of its venues – with music salons filled to capacity at less than a hundred guests and concert halls where no patron is more than a dozen rows from the stage. The festival fosters meaningful connections between artist and audience and enhances music appreciation with informal discussions, mini-concerts, workshops, open rehearsals and social events. The 2012 festival, featuring distinguished performers comes to you from February 6th through 12th.

The festival is a project of Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Launched in 2003 with pianist Claude Frank as mentor artist and the young Calder Quartet as emerging artists, it has since grown to a full week of activities. This year’s Laguna Beach Music Festival honors the legacy of the late philanthropist and music lover Ed Halvajian.

Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell will serve as guest Artistic Director, partnering with composer-performer Edgar Meyer, the ever-surprising Calder Quartet and the youthful L.A.-based ensemble Calidore String Quartet, winners of the 2011 Fischoff Competition.

Joshua Bell has enchanted audiences worldwide with his breathtaking virtuosity and tone of rare beauty. In addition to numerous classical recordings, he has become a household name thanks to his many soundtracks including the Oscar-winning score for The Red Violin. His release, Romance of the Violin, was named the 2004 Billboard Classical CD of the Year. He has crossed musical borders to work with jazz, folk and traditional artists – notably with banjo wizard Sam Bush and guitarist Mike Marshall in Short Trip Home.

Equally lauded as classical virtuoso, concert music composer and American roots music wizard, Edgar Meyer owns the double bass and frequently works with musicians from diverse traditions like Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain and others who are all masters of their form. An in-demand collaborator, audiences crossed over from multiple genres in droves to enjoy his Appalachia Waltz project with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and fiddler Mark O’Connor.

Winners of the 2009 ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award, the Calder Quartet has emerged as a leading American quartet with high-profile projects, prestigious commissions and unique collaborations to their credit. As comfortable, and as captivating, when performing with indie rock bands like Vampire Weekend and Airborne Toxic Event as in the concert hall, The Calder were featured as “emerging artists” in 2003 at the first-ever Laguna Beach Music Festival. Since then, they’ve spent time as graduate quartet in residence at The Juilliard School and have earned their way onto the shortlist of cool young quartets whose skill and technique is matched by depth of musical passion.

For more info visit
www.lagunabeachmusicfestival.com

Not Your Ho Hum Holiday
By Shelley T. Hudson

Sail Over To The Harbor
The city’s 37th Annual Holidays in the Harbor kicks off with its Holiday Open House on December 2nd from 4 to 8 p.m. Family activities including face painting, crafts and live music will entertain grownups and kids alike. Santa will sit for photos, so remember to bring your camera. Come on back to the harbor the next day for a 20-minute Harbor Cruise with Mr. Claus. Boat rides start at the Dana Wharf Sportfishing docks and your $3 donation will benefit the El Camino Real Jr. Women’s Club. Cruises depart regularly from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on December 3rd and 4th. If you miss these photo-ops, you’ll have another opportunity at the El Torito courtyard on December 8th and 15th from 3 to 5 p.m. for your official Photos with Santa.

Rock The Boat
The Boat Parade of Lights in Dana Point Harbor is sure to get the holiday party started with this year’s theme: “Santa Salutes the 70’s.” Boaters will deck their vessels in elaborate light displays and compete for prizes. View the parade from anywhere in the harbor or watch from one of the restaurants. Be a part of the parade and reserve a spot on one of Dana Wharf Sportfishing’s boats and wave at the adoring crowds while you cruise. Visit www.danapointharbor.com for a parade application and for event information. The parade sets sail on December 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th.

Happy Pawlidays!
The Santa Paws and Claws event is new this year and benefits the Pet Project Foundation. Bring your furry friend to Aegis in Dana Point (26922 Camino de Estrella) on December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or to the harbor on the 10th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an afternoon of photos and fun. For more information, visit www.petprojectfoundation.org or call 949.595.8899.

Reindeer Games
The Dana Point Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on December 10th from noon to 7:30 p.m. at La Plaza Park. Highlights include a craft faire, real snow, a petting zoo (with actual reindeer!), cookie decorating, children’s crafts, carnival games and entertainment all day long. Be sure to make time for a visit with Santa and catch the special holiday movie that starts at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 949.248.3530.

Turn Up The Lights
Pull out the holiday decor and do the Griswalds proud. Power up for the 12th annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest and vie for the best on the block in creativity, originality, and overall enthusiasm for the winter holidays. Judging will be done by the Dana Point Youth Board on December 16th from 5 to 7 p.m. Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place homes. Call 949.248.3512 for more information.

Artfully Done
The Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy is a must-see local tradition. Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts while you enjoy entertainment, art demonstrations and snacks from four outdoor cafes. Over 170 exhibitors will display and sell wares, including jewelry, clothing, ceramics, paintings and sculpture. Craft booths will keep little ones busy and St. Nick is rumored to stop by to see who’s being naughty or nice. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for kids, but you can slide in for free on Sundays with the donation of a new unwrapped toy. The Winter Fantasy runs December 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th and 11th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jingle All The Way
The City of San Clemente will present its annual Santa’s Village by the Sea shindig at the Community Center on December 3rd. Enjoy a real snow hill with sledding, a chat with Santa and refreshments. The fun starts at 1 p.m. and continues until the tree lighting at 5 p.m. Afterward, follow the elves down Candy Cane Lane for Christmas at the Casa from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Casa Romantica. The venue will be decorated in holiday finery and will offer hot chocolate, cookies, crafts and caroling.

Handle With Care
The Annual Toy Drive and Adopt-A-Family Gift Program is a great opportunity to help those in need. Family Assistance Ministries will distribute new clothes and shoes to needy families from 10 to 11 a.m. on December 17th at 100 N. Calle Seville. Go to www.family-assistance.org for donation information and to read about the work this organization does all year long.

Go To Town
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony goes down December 3rd from 4 to 9 p.m. at Historic Town Center Park and features roaming entertainment, crafts, face painting, Santa photos, train rides and marionette performances. ZOOMARS is sponsoring a petting zoo and hay ride and disabled adults from “Pathway to Hope” will enact a living nativity. Downtown businesses will stay open until 9 p.m. to help get your holiday shopping under way.

Mission Accomplished
Mission San Juan Capistrano will host its annual Christmas at the Mission tradition on December 3rd from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Local choirs and bands will provide entertainment, food vendors will offer refreshments and your little elves can visit Santa’s Workshop. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children and can be purchased at the Gate House.

A Train Of Thought
For the young and young at heart, Metrolink’s Holiday Toy Express will once again make local stops to spread holiday cheer on Sunday, December 4th. The Firefighter’s Spark of Love Toy Drive coordinates with Metrolink to collect and distribute toys to kids who might go without otherwise. The light-bedecked Metrolink will come screeching into the station with candy cane-bearing elves on board. Come down to your local stop with the kids in tow and an unwrapped toy for Spark of Love. The train will stop at the San Juan Capistrano station at 7 p.m., San Clemente’s North Beach at 7:45 p.m. and San Clemente Pier at 8:20 p.m.

Home For The Holidays
The Assistance League of Capistrano Valley’s 6th Annual Christmas Home Tour takes place on December 4th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour four palatial hillside homes and sample food tastings from The Cellar, Hapa J’s, Sundried Tomato and more. The $35 ticket can be purchased at www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org. Proceeds benefit Capistrano Unified Schools and Camp Pendleton Marine families. The tour takes place rain or shine and comfortable, flat shoes are recommended.

Happy Holidays from The Local Dish Magazine!

The Dana Point Turkey Trot

If you’re planning to gobble down a big Turkey Day feast, then start the day by burning off a few calories so that you can enjoy that second piece of pumpkin pie guilt-free. Not only is the Dana Point Turkey Trot a fun and festive race, but a great way to give back to the local community.

The 34th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot, a Southern California tradition, is fast approaching. Named “one of America’s best Thanksgiving Day runs” by Fitness Magazine, the event is known for its scenic routes, beautiful weather and family-friendly activities. It attracts more than 16,000 participants each year, including friends and family, to the 5K, 10K, Kids’ Gobble Wobble and finish line festival.

This year, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is unveiling a wide array of race enhancements for the Thanksgiving Day run. Organizers, including the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce and RUN Racing, have joined together as a team to incorporate participants’ feedback, offering runners what is expected to be the biggest and best race to date.

The 2011 Turkey Trot race will feature wave starts based on anticipated race times to alleviate congestion, stroller-specific wave starts, and widening of the lane for the finish-line shoot. For the first time, every participant will receive a finisher medal. In addition, the event will include a two-day health and fitness expo and finish line festival for all participants. The health and fitness expo, held on November 23rd and 24th, will offer an abundance of exhibitor booths including the latest and greatest the fitness and health industry has to offer, as well as industry expert speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about topics ranging from proper shoe fitting to nutrition, and will even have the chance to get a book signed by Sarah Reinertsen, the first female leg amputee to complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

The event is also helping to fundraise for the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, accepting donations for each through the on-line registration. The Dana Point Turkey Trot is currently offering a registration discount to all active duty Camp Pendleton Marines, as well as a Thanksgiving Day dinner for the 5th Marine Regiment personnel and their families.

For more information about the 34th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot, to register for a race, or to become a sponsor, visit www.turkeytrot.com. You may also follow the event on Twitter at www.twitter.com/turkeytrot and on Facebook at facebook.com/danapointturkeytrot. Participants and supporters are encouraged to download the Dana Point Turkey Trot Cause Layout at www.causelayout.com. For every original download of the Facebook layout, $1 will be donated to the Dana Point Turkey Trot.

www.turkeytrot.com

Hope 4 Hanna

According to the leading autism advocacy group, Talk About Curing Autism, one in every 91 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. Increasing at a rate of 10 to 17 percent annually, it’s no surprise that nearly everyone in South Orange County knows someone who’s been affected by this disorder, be it a neighbor, a classmate a friend or your own child. On October 9th at dawn, more than 1,000 people will gather at San Clemente’s Plaza Pacifica shopping center…not for their Sunday morning errands, but to run/walk in the TRACE 3 San Clemente 10k/5k and ½k kids race benefiting Hope 4 Hanna.

The San Clemente-based non-profit, Hope 4 Hanna, was established in May 2008 by its founding board members: Justin and Kristen Alderson and Joshua and Lenè Belden. The inspiration behind the organization was Joshua and Lenè’s daughter, Johanna (“Hanna”), who was diagnosed in October 2006 with Autistic Disorder shortly after her second birthday.

Hope 4 Hanna’s mission is to create a less challenging road for families dealing with autism. Since the inaugural race in October 2009, Hope 4 Hanna has raised and donated more than $150,000 to larger organizations such as Autism Speaks and Talk About Curing Autism (TACA). In addition to generating donations for the research of cures and prevention, Hope 4 Hanna has funded biomedical scholarships, socialization groups and marriage counseling for families in financial need. Recently, they announced a partnership with Courtney’s Sandcastle in San Clemente, providing funding for developmentally disabled play apparatus within the new La Pata/Vista Hermosa Park.

The event features a challenging 10k/5k Run/Walk that is entirely on a paved surface. There is a significant uphill portion during the first mile of the course, followed by a flat transition before a long, downhill finish. The Kids ½k Run/Walk is designed for fun and safety and has both a paved and grassy surface in a contained area. All levels of runners and walkers are welcome and parental assistance is permitted.

New this year is the “walka for TACA” challenge which follows the ½k kids run. Participants are encouraged to dress up in their favorite superhero costume and have fun tackling various obstacles along their journey – busting through a “brick wall” or leaping a tall building in a single bound. This event is being created with ASD families in mind, as parents are required to participate with their children.

The Hope 4 Hanna event will also feature its annual resource fair, offering a wealth of information to families seeking answers about anything from diagnosis to legal issues, to a variety of therapy options. The Wyland Foundation’s mobile learning center and the Ocean Institute’s “Ocean in Motion” van will also be on display.

Whether you are a serious runner, a casual walker or just want to enjoy great fun for a great cause, come out and support Hope 4 Hanna on Sunday, October 9th. The festivities start at 7 a.m. To register, support a participant, make a general donation and to learn more about the event and volunteer opportunities, please visit hope4hanna.com.

Dana Point Food, Wine and Muisc Festival

An eclectic mix of delectables, libations and melodies await you at the 2nd Annual Dana Point Food, Wine and Music Festival, presented by Orange Coast FIAT. The event returns to Sea Terrace Park in Dana Point on Saturday, June 21st. Admission is free. This day of fun in the sun has something for everyone.

Various musicians will entertain the masses throughout the day. Amazing piano players will tinkle the ivories in the wine festival area, jazz percussionists will provide atmosphere in the food festival area, and several string musicians and DJs will be entertaining the crowds throughout the festival.

A number of local restaurants will be in attendance, providing samples of their most tempting dishes. Dana Point will be represented by Choya Japanese Cuisine, Shwack Beach Grill and Stillwater. Laguna Niguel’s Savannah Chophouse, Chaparosa Grill and Bistro K are serving up grub for the masses. Inka Mama’s will be sampling Peruvian cuisine while El Adobe de Capistrano and Casa Ranchero will offer some Mexican favorites. Private Chef Mumsie and OC’s Rock ‘n Roll Chef will demonstrate their culinary skills. Restaurants are joining the event continuously, so check out the website to see the latest additions.

If you are on more of a liquid diet, then you definitely will want to partake in the international wines. Old World meets New World, with wines from France, Italy, Spain and Germany complementing the varietals from California, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia. Over thirty breweries representing more than 60 brands will be pouring their hops and barley masterpieces throughout the day. Stella Artois will have a special lounge area in the beer garden. Hand crafted cocktails will also be in abundance, along with a champagne bar.

Stroll through the exhibitor village, with over one hundred vendors sharing their wares. The festival’s Art in the Park will display wonderful works from artisans, both local and beyond. Street performers will provide lots of smiles in and around the park. For all you cigar lovers, Payne-Mason will be offering Cuban cigar rolling presentations. Pick up a fresh stogie right from the master’s hand.

The Food, Wine and Music Festival sells Gold and Silver passes in advance of the event. Gold passes provide VIP access with a host of amenities that include unlimited beer and wine sampling, full glasses in the VIP area, a delicious lunch or dinner by Chef Mumsie, private bars, upgraded restrooms and more. Gold passes are just $60 in advance or $80 at the event (limited tickets available). Silver passes also offer unlimited beer and wine sampling opportunities and are just $40 in advance and $50 at the festival (limited tickets available). See the website to purchase passes in advance.

Visit FoodWineAndMusicFestival.com for all updated festival information.

2011 San Clemente Ocean Festival
The Greatest Show on Surf

San Clemente Ocean Festival is coming to a beach near you on July 16th and 17th. Each year, tens of thousands of beachgoers attend this annual event featuring water-based activities ranging from standup paddleboard surfing championships and a fishing derby to ocean swims and body surfing championships.

For those preferring to stay grounded, a variety of activities for all ages also awaits at the festival. Landlubbers can enjoy the 18th annual woody car exhibit, the ocean art show, The Great Rubber Duck Race and a beach party & free concert featuring A Bunch of Guys. Kids can participate in the revelry with carnival games, face painting, crafts, the Discovery Science Center, kids’ dolphin dash beach run, a children’s fishing clinic and much more.

All in all, whatever your age, interest or skill level, there is sure to be something for you at the festival. “Our goal is to maintain a quality event, attracting both novice and world-class athletes at a venue for them to enjoy with their friends and families, creating lasting memories and passing on traditions,” says Peggy Vance, Executive Director.

The event got its start back in 1975 with a group of lifeguards who envisioned a series of beach games for the general public. Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Ocean Festival is designed to combine ocean awareness with safe, healthy competition and recreational activities. It has become a respected tradition for the local community.

A portion of the proceeds from the San Clemente Ocean Festival benefit local charities that strive to make a difference in our community. The celebration raises funds for charities such as the Jr. Lifeguard program, Adopt-a-Class at the Ocean Institute, The Mentor Program at the Boys & Girls Club and for high school scholarships. “It’s fun and it’s all for a good cause,” shares Todd Bryant, the event’s President. “It’s great to bring the community together. It’s the best event we have in San Clemente. We’re just trying to put on a really great show that everyone can enjoy.”

Take advantage of hassle-free parking. A complimentary, round trip shuttle service will be running from San Clemente High School to the Ocean Festival and back on Saturday, July 16th from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 17th from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Date: July 16th-17th

Admission: FREE

Register: scof2011.eventbrite.com

Schedule/Info: oceanfestival.org or call 949.440.6141

San Clemente Fiesta Street Festival
By Shelley T. Hudson

Bring the whole family to Avenida Del Mar on Sunday, August 14th, for the 58th Annual Fiesta Street Festival in San Clemente. This summer tradition is an all day event, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing with the last band at 7:00 p.m. A full schedule of children’s activities, live entertainment, arts and crafts and cooking (and eating!) contests are planned for this year’s Fiesta, which is sure to draw a huge crowd.

Kids.
Start your day early with the little ones, and enjoy a bevy of kid-friendly activities, including jump houses, rides, games, face-painting and a petting zoo. Roaming balloon artists, jugglers and clowns will be on hand to keep them entertained all day.

Contests.
Older kids (and much, much older kids) with a competitive spirit may want to get in on the action and join the jump rope contest, diaper derby, hula hoop contest, egg hunt, tortilla toss and piñata whacking contest. If you bring your iron stomach and a pocket full of antacids, sign up for the Baskin-Robbins ice cream-eating, pie-eating, pickle-eating or Cassano’s pizza-eating contests.

Music.
The action kicks up a notch in the afternoon with live music thumping throughout downtown and the estimated 35,000 attendees out in force. Music and live entertainment are a key component of the festival with three stages hosting a full schedule of bands. Headliners this year will include perennial party band Flock of 80s, Journey tribute band Don’t Stop Believin’, Alter Ego, Neon Nation and Jann Browne. Additional bands featured at the 2011 Fiesta Street Festival include The Cholulas, Steel Toed Slipperss, ocVertigo, Orange Solutions, The Badfooters, Nail Drivers, All up in There, The Dreams, Lessons from Zeke, Sea Cure, Rod & the Pistons and Lucidiom. Live performances from the San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts Center, the Boys & Girls Dance Troupe and the Solid Hip Hop Dance Crew round out the stage entertainment.

More!
Art enthusiasts can peruse the arts and crafts show, which will feature hand-crafted merchandise from talented Southern California artists. A variety of international food vendors will keep foodies intrigued and the annual Salsa Challenge contest will be back and hotter than ever, featuring competitions for both restaurants and amateurs. A Classic Car and Motorcycle Show will draw motorheads from near and far as well. This extravaganza truly features something for everyone!

TO LEARN MORE: 949.492.1131or visit scchamber.com

Dana Point Grand Prix 2011

Gear up for a great weekend of family fun, excitement and cycling action at the Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling. This 5th annual event happens Sunday, May 1st at 7:00 a.m. around a dynamic downtown race course in picturesque Dana Point. Over $30,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to participating cyclists from around the country.

One of the most prestigious one-day professional bicycle races in America, the Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling is a family-oriented event promoting healthy lifestyles that also raises money for outstanding charities. This year’s race, the Breakaway from Cancer Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling, supports the Pacific Meso Center at the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute in Los Angeles.

Overlooking Dana Point Harbor, in the scenic downtown and Heritage Park neighborhood, professional and amateur athletes compete on an exciting technical and challenging L-shaped race course that offers a unique spectator experience for fans and the community. The course begins on Pacific Coast Highway (Del Prado) and winds its way through downtown Dana Point into Heritage Park and the adjoining residential community before finishing on a long straightaway on PCH.

Check out the cyclists as they take a spin on one of the most challenging criterium courses in the country. With 11 amateur and professional races, 6 kids’ races and a new and improved Fan Zone, the Dana Point Grand Prix is sure to be an action-packed day of fun for the whole family. This year, the event also introduces a Kids Zone, featuring bike safety demonstrations, games, contests and vendors for the future cyclists of America.

The 2011 Grand Prix has been selected by USA Cycling as a member of the National Racing Calendar, an exclusive series comprising 34 race events in major U.S. cities representing American Pro/Am bicycle racing at its finest. Dana Point was selected to be part of this exclusive group not only because of its beauty, but because of its proactive community involvement with children and cycling advocacy.

18th Annual Wag-A-Thon by Pet Project Foundation

“Bark” your calendars for the 18th annual Wag-A-Thon on Saturday, April 30th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Pet Project Foundation’s (PPF) “Waggin’ for a New Leash on Life” family event will be the biggest doggie social of the year.

Every dog has its day and this is your four-legged friend’s opportunity to have some tail waggin’ fun. You and your pooch can munch on treats, listen to the sounds of Martin Gerschwitz on keyboard and shop for cool doggie gear. Be sure to meet the celebrity dogs, Chloe and Papi, from Beverley Hills Chihuahua II and sign up for the pet contests that will include: Be a Rock Star, Best Costume and Best Pet Trick. Prizes will be awarded to the top three dogs in each category.

This year, Ted Ondrak of SoCal Herding (www.socalherding.com) will be giving demonstrations with his skillful border collies. These herding dogs are the main attraction at the Queen Mary Scottish Festival and have appeared on Animal Planet and National Geographic.

By participating in the event, you can gather pledges that will directly benefit The San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter. With $75 in pledges, you will receive a Wag sweatshirt with the colorful 2011 logo. Buy My Bikes is donating a beach cruiser bike that will be given to the individual raising the most pledges. Participants collecting $100 or more will be eligible for the grand prize drawing — two nights at the St. Regis Resort & Spa. Visit www.PetProjectFoundation.com to download the pledge form or find it inside the Wag brochure that is distributed throughout the community.

Pet Project Foundation provides countless hours of volunteering and over $300,000 annually for medical care, food, a large percentage of dog trainer and kennel attendant salaries and community spay and neuter programs. Lost and abandoned animals have a second chance at a good life, thanks to the unique partnership between PPF and the Shelter.

All paid event participants will receive a pet themed t-shirt, designed by local artist Heather Ritts (www.abovethereefs.com), and a goodie bag brimming with treats and toys. Sign up by April 23rd and receive a free dog bandanna plus $5 off the admission price of $30.

For more information about the WAG-A-THON or Pet Project Foundation, please visit www.PetProjectFoundation.org or call 949.595.8899

The Swallows Return

St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows celebration takes place on Saturday, March 19th at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The swallows are said to migrate to Goya, Argentina every October and return to their spring and summer home in San Juan Capistrano each March. The Swallows celebration began centuries ago when Mission Padres observed that the birds’ return roughly coincided with St. Joseph’s Day on the church calendar. The celebration has achieved international prominence since then.

“People from all around the world come to the town of San Juan Capistrano to share in the rich tradition that defines St. Joseph’s Day at Mission San Juan Capistrano,” said Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, Executive Director of the Mission. “We are grateful for our swallows history as a means of welcoming the public and sharing this incredible historic resource with them and to invite the public to take part in all that we have to offer – dances, entertainment, bell ringing, exhibits and the opportunity to connect with family and friends.”

The celebration will include many events and activities, including live music, community presentations, special guest “Swallows Speakers,” Mission Parish school performances, ringing of the historic bells, an official press conference and history of St. Joseph’s Day and the swallows legend.

The celebration begins at 9:30 a.m. with a performance in the front courtyard by Mariachi Capistrano and will continue into the afternoon, concluding with the ringing of the historic bells at 3 p.m.

The day also will feature a Native American dance performance on the Central Courtyard stage beginning at 1 p.m., and later in the afternoon, a lecture by Dr. Charles R. Brown, a professor of Biological Sciences at University of Tulsa who has studied swallows since age 11. On Saturday, March 26th, the celebration continues with the Swallows Day Parade in Downtown San Juan Capistrano beginning at 11 a.m.