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San Juan Capistrano’s Swallows Day Parade celebrates women of the Old West

by in News

Crowds flocked to San Juan Capistrano for the city’s 61st annual Swallows Day Parade on Saturday, March 23.

This year’s theme was “How the West Was Really Won, Celebrating the Women of the West.” A wagon in the parade featured women dressed up as Old West figures, including sharpshooter Annie Oakley.

  • Members of the Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society ride down the street during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Spectators Patrick Herbert and his dog Lilly look at the horses during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019. Lilly has been in several parades, but this is the first time for her to watch one from the sidelines.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

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  • Children find a better view up a tree during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • One of several children wearing costumes runs along the street during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Using his bullwhip to skip down the road, Tucson, from the Guns N Roundtable performs during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • A group of folklorico dancers perform during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Members of Las Vaqueras Womens Riding Group of San Capistrano join over 300 other horse riders during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • All dressed up, Jordan 2, Serenity, 7, Jeanelle, 5, and Jacylin, 2, Gutierrez watch the parade as Berlin Armenta holds her dog Buddy during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Members of the Romona Pageant outdoor play from Hemet dance during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Members of the 1st Marine Division Band from Camp Pendleton lead the parade during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • The carriage with Grand Marshall Sylvia Mazzeo Pule rolls down the road during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Members of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians from the Acjachemen Nation wave to the crowds during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Mariachis with the Mission San Juan Capistrano play along during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • A cowboy takes a minute to let some children pet his horse during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Members of JSerra High School roll down the street during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Members of the Ballet Folklorico de San Juan Capistrano dance down the street during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Men from the Legion De Maria Rosa Mistica carry a statue of the Virgin Mary during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • A girl reaches out to pet a miniature horse from Mini Madness Miniature Horses during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Laura Parker and her daughter Murphy, 1, right, watch costumed parade goers walk by during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • More than 300 horse riders strode along during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Some of the thousands of spectators along the parade route wave during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • A mountain man from Code of the West Repertory Company walks along during the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade in downtown San Juan Capistrano Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

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The parade also featured a women’s riding group and a women’s color guard.

Meanwhile, kids jumped around bouncy houses and got on a climbing wall at the Mercado Street Fair, which ran throughout the day. The fair featured more than 100 vendors as well as live entertainment from DJs and a country-rock band Pickleback Shine.

One woman was injured when she fell off a startled horse, officials said.