Heritage Festival Highlights : Today

1 p.m. Walking tour of San Juan Capistrano by Historical Society. Tours begin at El Peon, across from the Mission San Juan Capistrano.

1 p.m. Children’s Pet Parade, El Camino Park, off Camino Capistrano.

4 p.m. Capistrano Valley Symphony concert, Capistrano Valley High School, 26301 Via Escolar.

Monday

7 p.m. Cowboy Hat Contest at Swallows Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano.

Wednesday

Swallows arrive.

9 a.m. Town Decoration Day begins with city businesses competing for prizes such as best decoration theme featuring Western or equestrian motif.

Noon to 2 p.m. City begins its series of Plaza Performances--jugglers, musicians, dancers, mimes and other performers at shopping sites throughout the city.

7 p.m. Hairiest Man Contest for beards. San Juan Bar and Grill, 31781 Camino Capistrano.

Friday

All day. Hoosegow Day. A portable jail will roam city streets looking for violators not dressed in Western attire. Fine is $1.

Saturday

8 to 11 a.m. Pancake breakfast by the Woman’s Club of San Juan Capistrano, 31441 El Horno St.

11 a.m. Fiesta Parade, billed as the nation’s largest non-motorized parade, runs along Camino Capistrano and El Camino Real.

3 p.m. Annual rodeo. Camino Capistrano at Junipero Serra. Tickets $7.

Sunday, March 23

1 p.m. Polo Match, Buchheim Field, Acjachema Street at El Camino Real. Tickets $3.

2 p.m. Rodeo continues, Camino Capistrano at Junipero Serra. Tickets $7.

Thursday, March 27

5:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce reception honoring city’s 25th anniversary. Capistrano Depot Restaurant, 26101 Verdugo. Tickets $7.50.

Saturday, March 29

8 a.m. San Juan Capistrano Heritage Festival 10K Run begins at San Juan Regional Library and takes runners down Camino Capistrano to Calle Arroya, up Rancho Viejo Road to Junipero Serra and back to library.

11 a.m. Community picnic, Cook Park, Calle Arroyo and La Novia Avenue.

Saturday, April 5

6 p.m. Heritage Ball, black-tie closing event for the Heritage Festival. To be held in tent adjacent to San Juan Library. Tickets $50 per person.