San Juan Capistrano : Alcohol to Be Banned Along Swallows Day Parade Route
For the first time in the 27-year-history of the Swallow’s Day Parade, this year no alcohol will be allowed along the parade route.
The move by city officials and festival organizers is in response to complaints that the parade has been losing its appeal to families, city officials said.
Last year, Orange County sheriff’s deputies reported making 25 arrests along the parade route, primarily for alcohol violations.
“I think it would be better if we didn’t have all these people coming in and doing an awful lot of drinking,” said Mack McDowell, el presidente of the San Juan Fiesta Assn., which organizes the parade. “It’s not everybody. It’s just a few. But I think the spectators would enjoy the parade more and everybody concerned would.”
Each year, thousands of spectators turn out for the parade--a celebration of the return of the swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano.
It will be the responsibility of sheriff’s deputies to enforce the drinking ban at this year’s parade, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 23.
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