Thousands lined the downtown streets on a clear Sunday to
“Salute America” during Morgan Hill’s 110th annual Fourth of
July parade.
Thousands lined the downtown streets on a clear Sunday to “Salute America” during Morgan Hill’s 110th annual Fourth of July parade.
The event-filled day culminated with a fireworks display beginning at dusk from Community Park.
Starting late to accommodate church services, the parade got under way at 11:30 a.m. with the release of 75 white doves to commemorate the service men and women who fought, died and are currently active for America, said parade organizer Bob Hunt.
“We used the doves to memorialize the fallen military folks who protected our country,” Hunt said. “Also there was a special emphasis on those in Iraq.”
The parade and five other July 3 and 4 events are organized each year by the all-volunteer Independence Day, Inc.
Daryl Manning, IDI president, summed up the weekend’s activities with one word.
“Wow,” Manning said. “It was just incredible – the best ever.”
Manning said every event broke records, from the most 5k runners to people filling every available spot at Community Park to watch the fireworks.
“They were sitting everywhere,” she said,” even on the other side of the pond. The street dance, patriotic sing and the festival were also huge successes.”
The weather could have been a problem and was forecast to be more than 90 degrees but, in the end, temperatures climbed only into the 80s and caused no problems, Manning said.
On-lookers were treated to a pre-show of four vintage biplanes and a special Calstar helicopter flyover, featuring Mayor Dennis Kennedy as a passenger.
The parade, which lasted two hours, started on Fourth Street at the Grange Hall, went north on Monterey before heading west on Main Avenue. From there the parade made a left turn in front of the library and finally went east on Dunne Avenue.
People line the streets nearly the entire parade route, but mostly concentrating in the downtown area. But the entire way, people dressed up, waved flags, applauded and cheered. Homeowners along the route put their own touch to the parade by putting up flags, even going all out to show their pride for their country.
“I love coming every year,” said Morgan Hill Resident Linda Banuelos. “It seems like it just gets better every year. This year is nice; there are different things I didn’t expect.”
Morgan Hill is the only city that holds a parade in Santa Clara County for Independence Day, which attracts many from outside the city to come out and enjoy the sites. But Maureen Visconti may have them all beat for distance traveled: she came all the way from New York.
Visconti was visiting family in the area who brought her out to see the parade. But seeing the West Coast parade was worth it for Visconti.
“This is wonderful,” she said. “This has a great hometown feel. They have a parade in my neighborhood which is just like this; I like it.”
Not traveling nearly as far as Visconti, was San Jose resident Donna Weatherall who came out to see her second Morgan Hill parade.
“This is a really sweet, all-American parade,” said Weatherall, who especially like the Mariachi and bagpipe bands. “This reminds me of parades when I was a kid. It gives off such a nice hometown feel.”
It was an event that young and old could enjoy. From clowns to horses to bands to war vehicles, both new and antiques.
This year’s theme for all the Fourth of July festivities was Salute to America, with a special emphasis paid to former and active duty service men and women.
New Morgan Hill resident Jason Benton is one such person who received a special thank you. Benton, a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, served for eight years and was in his dress uniform observing the parade.
“This is pretty cool,” said Benton, originally from Sacramento. “I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and I had some little kids salute me, it’s been fun.”
Benton was not the only serviceman who came out to watch Sunday’s parade. Lt. Col. Bob Keller (Ret.) came out with his grandchildren and said he loved what he saw.
“This is one of the best,” said Keller, who served for 23 years in the Marines. “My grandkids (5 and 6 years old) loved seeing the horses and the fire truck.”
There were plenty of both for Keller’s grandkids to see. Fire trucks from the local fire departments, as well as antiques, were featured in the parade. The Santa Clara County Fire Department’s engine and truck went first in case there were any emergencies during the parade.
Horses were also a main feature with many groups showing off their animals, both simply dressed and elaborately clothed as was the case for Arabian style riders who, along with themselves, decked out their horses with Arabian clothing.
The only problem with horses on the parade route is their little presents they leave behind. Coming to the rescue were local agricultural groups, including Pacheco Pass 4-H Club members who traveled behind the horses with shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows to the cheers of the crowd.
But no parade is complete without floats.
Once again, organizations from Morgan Hill and beyond came out to celebrate America as well as to give themselves some exposure. After putting in countless hours on their designs, members of the organizations waved to the crowd and even tossed items, such as candy to on-lookers.
Signs encouraging the participants were also erected like one reading “one block to go, don’t lag.” Some even begged for hand outs, like one kid’s asking for candy.
Many people pointed out how much the parade improves from year to year.
Lois Brown, a Sacramento resident who came down to visit her son, saw her only other Morgan Hill parade more than 10 years ago. She said the parade had changed drastically.
“Things have improved so much since the last time I came out here,” Brown said.
Despite the changes Brown had seen, she still wished there had been more.
“I was a little disappointed,” Brown said. “I wish I could have seen more flags, especially from the kids.”
The 11:30 a.m. start time was to accommodate the parishioners of St. Catherine Catholic Church on Peak Avenue, past whose doors the parade marches. In turn, the church canceled its noon Mass to accommodate the parade. In past years the parade was held on July 3 or in the evening, which was not popular with residents.
The parade usually starts at 10 a.m.
IDI puts on the Independence Day events through contribution from not only sponsors, but donations from the community. It’s not too late to send a “thank-you” donation. The events are also co-sponsored by the City of Morgan Hill.
Details: for donations or to sign up to participate in next year’s parade, visit www.mhidi.com. Applications can be sent to PO box 1776, Morgan Hill, CA 95038.
