L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 7 Legion VI Roman Soldiers Proud Italian Americans wave to the crowd Abruzzesi & Molisani proudly carrying their banner Legion VI Soldiers escort Ambassador Vicky Carabini along parade route Jim Bianchi Pizza tosser Italian Americans celebrating their heritage Italian Americans show pride at the 56th Annual Swallow's Day Parade St. Joseph's Day at the Mission Thousands of visitors poured through the gates at Mission San Juan Capistrano on March 19th continuing a tradition that began in the 1920's with most hoping for a glimpse of the returning swallows. This annual event celebrates the coming of spring, a time of renewal and rebirth. A full day of activities included the ringing of the historic bells, live mariachi music, flamenco performances, community presentations, tradi- tional song and dance perfor- mances by Mission Basilica School students, the history of St. Joseph's Day and Swallows They carried banners and flags, tossed pizza, marched with Roman Soldiers, sang Italian songs and blew kisses to the crowd of over 30,000 spectators. The Italian entry in the 56th Annual Swallow's Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano boasted over 100 proud Italian Americans. James Bianchi played his accordion and was accompanied by his tambourine tapping Dan Ochopinto. The horse drawn trolley carried another couple dozen partici- pants waving their Italian flags along the parade route. The entire Italian entry stretched almost two blocks and wowed the crowd. They came from near and far to show their Italian pride. Fifteen members of the Abruzzesi & Molisani Club came from Los Angeles, Francesca and Salvatore Cacciato flew out from New Jersey to visit family specifically timed so that they could be in the parade as did Theresa Oddo from Chicago. Some were dressed in traditional clothing from their region while others draped themselves in red, white and green. It was the per- fect day to celebrate being Italian. Legend, local food vendors, and a special Guest Lecture on Cliff Swallows by Dr. Charles Brown. In honor of St. Joseph, a com- munity outreach to gather food for Serra's Pantry, the local food bank, was coordinated the week prior to his feast day. Local schools and Mission Regional Hospital participating by collect- ing canned foods that literally filled the shelves and will see the food bank through the summer months. A symbolic table with a statue of St. Joseph was placed in the center courtyard with a sam- pling of bread and olive oil donated by Trader Joe's of Laguna Niguel. VIcKY cARABINI VIcKY cARABINI Vicky Carabini, Theresa Oddo & Virginia Wetterau volunteer at the Mission's St Joseph's Day Table

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