ASAP GETAWAYS\Cast of 350 in Hemet's Ramona Pageant Daily News.

The romantic tale of love gone awry in Old California will be played out this spring by a cast of 350 volunteer actors, singers and dancers in a natural amphitheater in Hemet.

Performances of the 73rd annual Ramona Pageant will run April 20, 21, 27 and 28 and May 4 and 5. There will be a single performance daily, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Based on the Helen Hunt novel, "Ramona," the pageant is a story of love and prejudice set on a Mexican rancho and surrounding lands in the early 1800s. Besides the actors, the show features 16 horses, cowboys and a mountainside Indian village.

Ticket prices are $8-$12 for children 11 and younger, $14-$17 for seniors 62 and older, $12-$19 for adults. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at [phone] or the Ramona Bowl at [phone].

San Juan Capistrano: As they have for decades, the swallows are expected to return to Mission San Juan Capistrano on March 19, St. Joseph's Day. But because that's a weekday, and because some "scouts" always seem to arrive early, mission officials are staging a welcoming party from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The mission bells will ring both days when the first swallows are sighted. The Saturday celebration will feature tours, crafts, food and entertainment. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children and seniors. Information: [phone].

Lebec: Dragoon Era Living History Day will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 at Fort Tejon State Historic Park, with volunteers dressed in period attire to re-create the sights, sounds and smells of the mid-1850s with drilling soldiers, butter churning and adobe brick making. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for kids age 6-12. Information: [phone].

Monterey: The 20th annual Wine Festival will run March 28-31 with a series of events, including tastings, workshops, cooking demonstrations and winery tours. Ticket prices range from $10 to $150, depending on the event. For $260, a ticket buyer can attend all major events, plus workshops and cooking demonstrations. Information: [phone].

Indio: The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians presents an annual powwow, including dancing and drumming from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada, arts and crafts and traditional foods, March 29-31 at Fantasy Springs Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Drive. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children; kids under 6 admitted free. Information: [phone], Ext. 3017.

Long Beach: The beach town is gearing up for the 22nd annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, set for April 12-14, with world-class Indy car drivers and racing fans from around the world. Information: [phone]. Tickets: [phone].

Utah: Park City Ski Area will be the backdrop for the annual SnowShine Festival, a two-week celebration of spring that runs March 23-April 7. Activities will include history tours, a dance contest, volleyball tournaments and recreational ski racing for skiers of all abilities. Events conclude Easter Sunday morning with a sunrise church service and Easter egg hunt. Information: [phone].

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Photo Horses, dancers, cowboys and Indians will appear in the Ramona Pageant.