November 3 & 4 Weekend Will Commemorate 200th Anniversary of the Raid on San Juan Capistrano

November 3 & 4 Weekend Will Commemorate 200th Anniversary of the Raid on San Juan Capistrano

The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society and the Dana Point Historical Society invite the public to join in marking the 200th anniversary of the Raid on San Juan Capistrano by Argentinian patriot and alleged “pirate” Hipólito Bouchard (below) in 1818.  On Saturday, November 3, a group of Living History “pirates” will recreate the historic walk from Dana Point to San Juan Capistrano to “sack” the town. The walk will begin at 11 a.m., starting at Trabuco Creek Trail at Descanso Park, 32506 Paseo Adelanto, SJC,  and end at Los Rios Park, 31747 Los Rios Street,  where the “sacking” will commence.  Downtown merchants will be “pillaged” until approximately 1 p.m. This will be immediately followed by a family-friendly “Pirate Fiesta” at the Blas Aguilar Adobe organized by curator Domingo Belardes.  Food, games and children’s events will be featured until 4 p.m.

The Living History “pirates” group will then camp overnight on the grounds of the SJC Historical Society.  On Sunday, November 4, the public is invited to attend the “trial” of Bouchard at a joint meeting of the Societies at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center at 2:30 p.m., located at 25925 Camino del Avion, SJC.  A jury will render a verdict deciding if Bouchard is a patriot, privateer or pirate at approximately 3:30 p.m.

   All daytime events are free and open to public.  For more information contact the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society at (949) 493-8444 or the Dana Point Historical Society at (949) 248-8121, or email PirateRaidAndTrial@Cox.net.

You can also read a more in-depth article about Bouchard, written by Jan Seigel of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society here: Who was Bouchard by Jan Seigel

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