Dear Editor, Great weather, a new location, groovy entertainment
and record-breaking crowds were just some of the reasons this
year
’s Mushroom Mardi Gras was such a huge success.
Dear Editor,
Great weather, a new location, groovy entertainment and record-breaking crowds were just some of the reasons this year’s Mushroom Mardi Gras was such a huge success.
Not knowing what to expect in our new location, the results far exceeded our expectations and we now know what to anticipate next year. We already have some great ideas on how to make next year’s event even better.
There are many people to thank who are responsible for the success of this year’s event. Without the Mushroom Mardi Gras board of directors, sponsors and volunteers, there wouldn’t have been a Festival this year. They deserve a big thank you!
First, I would like to thank the Mushroom Mardi Gras Board of Directors; Dan Sullivan, President; Ron Woolf, Treasurer & Secretary; Jim Tarp; Brad Spencer; Claire Cretin; Steve Silveira; Tilly Mayeda; and Bill Brown, who put their faith in me to help plan this year’s festival, in its new location. The volunteerism of the board is phenomenal. They all pitched in whenever and wherever needed, and work many hours before, during and after the festival to get the job done. They were like a well-oiled machine that has worked together for many years and deserves all the credit they can get for putting on a successful event.
Because of the support of our many sponsors, we were able to successfully move the festival to downtown, with free admission, and still be able to make a profit to support our scholarship fund and the many non-profit clubs & organizations, who have depended on the festival for their fundraising efforts. Please join me in thanking this year’s sponsors: The City of Morgan Hill; KitchenWorks & Renewal by Design; Bottomley Distributing; The Coca-Cola Company; The Morgan Hill Ford Store; Hospira, Inc.; Anritsu Company; Alliance Title; JET Electric; Morgan Hill Times; Out & About Magazine; Twin Falls Real Estate; South Valley National Bank; Saint Louise Regional Hospital; South Valley Disposal & Recycling; Kaiser Permanente Gilroy Medical Offices; KBAY & KEZR Radio; KSBW-TV; Mobedshahi Family Foundation; Morgan Hill Self Storage; Re/Max Valley Properties; Cresco Rentals; Microtel Inn & Suites; Williams Scotsman; Cal Color Growers; and Kris Nolan of Bianchi, Lorincz & Co. With their support, we were able to provide a total of 17 scholarships and donate approximately $10,000 to local clubs and organizations, who assisted with the festival this year.
I would also like to thank the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and the downtown businesses and residents for putting up with us over the weekend. We greatly appreciate their understanding and support.
It takes many volunteers to put on a festival and ensure it runs smoothly. A big thank you goes to the many volunteers and non profit clubs and organizations, who put aside there valuable time to work the festival, including: Live Oak Emerald Regime; Morgan Hill Lacrosse Club; Live Oak Boys & Girls Volleyball; Morgan Hill Lions Club; Live Oak Tennis Club; Temple Emmanuel; San Jose Buddhist Judo Boosters; FBLA; Saint Catherine’s; Santa Clara County Fire Department Employees; MHUSD Bus Barn Employees; Morgan Hill Kiwanis; and the many individual volunteers who make this event happen. Most of these groups have been volunteering for the Mushroom Mardi Gras for many years. We deeply appreciate their continued assistance, support and expertise in making the event successful.
If you happen to run into any of our sponsors, board of directors and groups listed above, please join me in saying “Thanks”! We hope to see you at next year’s 27th Annual Mushroom Mardi Gras, May 27-28, 2006.
Sunday Minnich, 2005 Event Director
