On June 23, Old Mission San Juan Bautista will honor its patron saint, St. John the Baptist, with a fiesta acknowledging the Native Americans who physically built the mission and the Spanish, Mexican, American, Franciscan and settlers’ influence on the Central California area, according to an announcement from the Mission.
According to the announcement:
The fiesta will also recognize the 300th anniversary of Father Junipero Serra’s birth on the island of Mallorca. At 11 a.m., led by a Dixieland band, a priest and people will process from the mission church through downtown San Juan Bautista and into the mission’s Historic Olive Grove. A second procession will occur at 1 p.m. led by a folkloric group. This kicks off a multi-cultural, family-oriented fiesta. There is on-stage entertainment until 5 p.m. with singers, traditional and contemporary Mexican music and dancing. There will be historic displays, docent tours of the recent archaeological findings, costumed participants, food, beverages, games and activities for all ages. Admission and stage entertainment is free. For information or to volunteer, call 408-500-8353.
