What started 56 years ago in picturesque San Juan Capistrano as a small carnival has now grown into the largest non-motorized parade in the country with more entries than the Rose Parade and over 30,000 parade watchers! The parade celebrates the return of the swallows with all of the fanfare and excitement a small town can muster for one day.
For the past eight years, the Italian entry has become one of the most enthusiastic parade entries. Proud Italian Americans hand carry the Italian, American and California flags followed by the 20 regional flags of Italy. Enough flags to rival the opening ceremony of the Olympics!…and that is just the beginning!
Pizza tossers, an accordion player, a Sicilian donkey and goats, I bambini Italiani pushed in strollers and decorated wagons, and a horse drawn trolley filled with excited flag waving Italian Americans. To keep our entry in order and proper formation, the Legion Six Roman Soldiers march alongside us in full authentic Roman uniforms.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2014. All Italian clubs are welcome to participate and carry their club banners.
Over 100 members of Italian clubs from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego counties participate. In true Italian style, a post parade party will be held at Zoomars Petting Zoo, owned and operated by Carolyn Franks, a spicy Italian from New Jersey who loves promoting and supporting all things Italian.
The Italian entry represents San Juan Capistrano’s Sister City relationship with Capestrano, Italy, which was officially formed in 1999 with the help of the Abruzzesi e Molisani Club of Los Angeles. The original relationship began in 1776 when Fr. Junipero Serra founded the Mission and named it after his favorite saint, San Giovanni da Capestrano. Because it was a Spanish Mission it was given the Spanish name. Ironically, San Giovanni’s feast day is celebrated the day he died, October 23rd…the same day as the swallows leave San Juan Capistrano!
Dress in Italian colors red, white, and green and come join us to celebrate our Italian heritage at the Swallow’s Day Parade.
For more information about the parade, parking etc. go to www.swallowsparade.com/parade.aspx. For more information about participating in the Italian entry and post parade party at Zoomars email vcarabini@cox.net.
Vicky Carabini, Ambassador to Capestrano, Italy. Carabini has coordinated the Italian entry for the past eight years.
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