SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Rancho Days Will End This Weekend

The Rancho Days celebration--homage to the days when cattle and cowboys ruled the city--will conclude this weekend with a street fair, vaudeville play, an old-fashioned rodeo and more.

“There are very few communities in California with such a diverse historical background as San Juan Capistrano,” said Brian McInerney, Mission San Juan Capistrano spokesman and Rancho Days founder. “Rancho Days celebrates the ranching period of our history.”

The celebration pays tribute to the mid-1800s when the Forster and O’Neill families owned much of South County and raised cattle throughout the Capistrano Valley.

On Friday, a vaudeville play will be held at 8 p.m. at the Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real. The Miss San Juan Capistrano pageant will also be held that evening at the Mission San Juan Cultural Center, located on the mission grounds at the corner of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano. Admission will be charged for both events.

On Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Mission San Juan will briefly return to the city’s cattle ranching days as it plays host to historical exhibits and period entertainment with flamenco and country dancers, square-dancing exhibitions and cloggers. Living History characters will roam the mission grounds as visitors enjoy American Indian craft and wildlife exhibits.

Spanish-style food such as paella, a traditional seafood dish, will be available to visitors.

Outside the mission walls, a street fair will be held on Ortega Highway. The Fiesta Mercado will feature booths filled with vendors selling food, merchandise and games. Country music bands will play throughout the day. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, starting at 8:30 a.m., the Charriada-- a traditional Mexican rodeo--will be held at the corner of Camino Capistrano and Junipero Serra.

After the rodeo on Saturday, a country-Western dance will take place starting at 7 p.m. Rodeo admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children.

For general information about Rancho Days events, call the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce at (714) 493-4700.