Humans Migrate to Mission : Not Many Swallows Present, But People Still Flock to San Juan Capistrano for the Festivities

Few swallows could be seen Saturday morning at the old Mission San Juan Capistrano, but the people who turned out for festivities to welcome the migratory birds on their annual return from South America didn’t seem to mind.

With mariachi bands, Native American dancers, local school choirs and food booths to entertain them, most visitors seemed not to notice the scarcity of the small birds in whose honor the annual festival has been held since 1910.

Several people, however, did spot swallows darting about. Though the birds have historically been welcomed each year on March 19--St. Joseph’s Day--some arrive days or weeks earlier, while others straggle in later.

Robin and Karen Bookbinder of Toronto brought children Alex, 8, and Adrienne, 5, to the celebration as part of a warm-weather vacation.

“We had been to the mission before, so we called to make sure we wouldn’t miss it,” Karen Bookbinder said. The return of the swallows, documented since the mission was founded more than 220 years ago, is fascinating, she said. “Those swallows are probably one of America’s oldest families.”

Many regard as a miracle the swallows’ 6,000-mile trek every year from Argentina to exactly the same spot in Orange County.

“That they manage to do that is something that only God and the swallows understand,” mission administrator Jerry Miller said. “Something inside tells them that this is the place to come to and this is the time to come.”

David Belardes, chairman of the Juaneno Indian tribe, which danced at Saturday’s festivities, agreed: “It is something the Creator set in motion long before man was here. Always at the vernal equinox they arrive, and it’s nothing that we can explain.”

Mission officials stirred a controversy last year when they decided to add a second celebration to the March 19 event and began holding festivities on a Saturday. The second festival was intended to draw more visitors to the mission.

The traditional arrival of the swallows will still be celebrated on Wednesday, St. Joseph’s Day, with activities planned from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors to the mission Saturday were welcomed by one of the mission’s “living exhibits”: John Mione dressed as the mission’s founder, Father Junipero Serra. Mione, a mission docent, looked so friar-like with a cowled robe and crude wooden cross that many stopped to ask, “Are you really a father?”

“I most certainly am,” Mione would answer. “I’m a father of three!”

Nearby, three men dressed as cowboys occasionally drew their pistols, aimed at each other and twirled their weapons before dropping them back into their holsters with a flourish.

“We’re kind of history buffs,” said Paul Bernhardy, one of the cowboys. “We do a lot of research and reading about the history of this area.” Bernhardy then gave an account of a 19th century shootout that actually took place in San Juan Capistrano.

Bernhardy described his outfit, complete with black boots, as that of a general “carouser” and “no-gooder.” Others wore costumes modeled on the clothing worn by historical figures.

Charles Rea was dressed as Wild Bill Hicock. His wife, Monique, portrayed Delia Hasket, a teenager who drove a Wells Fargo wagon for years before becoming a rancher.

Though the celebration began with a sparse crowd and overcast skies, the mission quickly filled with visitors as the sun appeared later in the day.

Many were like the Bookbinders of Toronto, having planned their vacations around the celebration. Others said they visit the mission every year.

“I’ve come many times before, but this is the first time for the boys,” said Brenda Calef of San Diego, who watched her sons, Patrick and Tony Cunning, attempt to lasso a plastic steer’s head that had been stuck into the ground.

Admission to the celebration is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children. The mission is at Camino Capistrano and Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano. Information: (714) 248-2049.