Morgan Hill continued a Fourth of July tradition in style with
several events drawing near-record crowds, according to organizers
of the 111th celebration. Each year the event continues to grow,
Independence Day Incorporated President Daryl Manning said, with
crowds conservatively estimated at about 34,000 people during
Morgan Hill
’s signature parade Monday morning.
Morgan Hill continued a Fourth of July tradition in style with several events drawing near-record crowds, according to organizers of the 111th celebration.
Each year the event continues to grow, Independence Day Incorporated President Daryl Manning said, with crowds conservatively estimated at about 34,000 people during Morgan Hill’s signature parade Monday morning.
The holiday weekend began with the annual Firecracker Golf Tournament on Friday, held for the first time at the Coyote Creek Golf Course. Manning said 60 golfers turned out, which she said was a large draw.
The festivities continued Sunday with the Patriotic Sing and a street dance in the evening.
But the early events all led up to Morgan Hill’s 111th Fourth of July parade Monday morning. The annual procession is the official Santa Clara County Fourth of July parade and the best parade in northern California, according to organizers with the IDI.
The long holiday weekend ended with a festival and a dazzling fireworks display at the Community Park.
“I’ve seen lots of Morgan Hill people ask friends from other communities to come down here,” Mayor Dennis Kennedy said, commenting on another banner year for the long-lived event. “This will give Morgan Hill more recognition and encourage people to come and visit.”
Parade marches to a local beat
Large crowds lined nearly ever inch of space in downtown Morgan Hill to watch the annual Fourth of July parade. Prime parade-watching real estate was claimed Sunday night by veteran spectators hoping to get the best view of the popular event.
Bob Hunt, the parade chair along with his wife Maureen Hunt, estimated crowds at 34,000, but admitted it was a conservative estimate and actual attendance may have been much higher.
At 10am sharp, the tolling of the church bells and the release of white doves marked the beginning of the parade.
Fire trucks and ambulances led the parade – which had more than 200 entries and 2,500 individuals participating – in case they were needed for emergencies during the event. The trucks were followed by numerous attractions such as the Live Oak Emerald Regime Marching Band, vintage cars, local politicians and floats built by residents of Morgan Hill and beyond.
Overhead, a quartet of 1941 Stearman bi-plane trainers called the Spirit of Freedom Flight made two passes during the procession, leaving behind trails of white smoke to delight the crowd. During the second pass, two P-51 fighter planes made a close pass by the Stearmans, drawing cheers from the audience below.
The parade started on Fourth Street and headed north on Monterey Road before turning west on Main Avenue. The parade then traveled in front of the library on Peak Avenue, turned east on Dunne Avenue and concluded on Fifth Street off of Monterey Road.
Gilroy’s Rob Barthelman has brought his family to the parade for the past five years, ever since he moved to the area.
“I love it. It’s great for the kids,” Barthelman said. “I keep coming for the length and variation of the parade.”
The parade has been a Morgan Hill tradition at least 111 years, since it was first documented in the Morgan Hill Times, though many parade organizers believe it was established long before the newspaper began.
And Morgan Hill residents Terry and Peggy Mahurin have made it a Fourth of July tradition for more than 25 of those years.
“It just wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without coming to the Morgan Hill parade,” Peggy Mahurin said.
Terry Mahurin said the parade has been the same, for the most part over the years, but he still loved coming out.
“It has kind of a small town flavor,” he said. “It is just a good tradition.”
Hunt said the audience showed incredible support for parade participants.
“This was just outstanding to see how the spectators were so appreciative of the efforts of the participants,” Hunt said. “I’ve never seen so many people.”
The appreciation didn’t only surprise Hunt, it also touched the numerous people marching and riding on floats during the event.
“When we went down Monterey, everybody just stood,” said Barbara Serrano, who marched with the Blue Star Moms displaying photos of their loved ones serving in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan. “They cheered and they waved and we cried. It was incredible.”
Maureen Hunt said she was just overwhelmed with the entire turnout and the quality of the parade.
“The floats were better than ever and the bands were better than ever,” an emotional Hunt said. “The crowds on all four streets were just huge.”
The annual event is a holiday attraction for people in South County, the Bay Area and beyond.
Claire and Liz Allen rode their motorcycles all the way from Victoria, British Columbia to watch this year’s celebration.
“This was just very festive and very patriotic,” said Claire Allen, noting it was well worth the long journey.
Young patriots raise their voice in song
Though the parade is always the biggest draw, the annual Patriotic Sing is also a time-honored holiday tradition for the community.
In a hot Britton Middle School gym Sunday evening, children from Morgan Hill schools paid tribute to the United States in song.
“Nobody complained, which surprised me,” said Karen Crane, who organized this year’s event. “It was really very well done. I was just so impressed with everybody.”
Family and friends filled the gym to watch students from kindergarten to seventh grade sing about their country, including the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America.”
The children sat in bleachers overlooking the crowd, surrounded by red, white and blue balloons and an early American Flag with 13 stripes and stars overhead.
In early May, Crane visited local elementary schools to recruit the young patriots. She said all children were welcome to participate and this year the event attracted 140 students.
Dancing the night away in downtown Morgan Hill
After the singing Sunday, it was time for dancing.
As the Dadz played a variety of classic rock hits, families descended on downtown to dance, eat and socialize.
The audience quickly grew from a small, intimate crowd to hordes of spectators lining Monterey Street.
“I think everything this year has broken records,” Manning said. “We are getting bigger – in a good way. We have considered making (the street dance) bigger and possibly adding a second stage. There is definitely room to grow.”
Manning added that she didn’t hear about any problems with the crowds. Downtown businesses reported no problems as a mix of patrons packed both the area and the restaurants.
“For the food, business was excellent,” said Brad Jones, owner of Booksmart, Thinker Toys and the Kaffe Vin. “There was no trouble. There were so many people here from bikers to business men to families and there weren’t any problems.”
A festival of fun for local families at Community Park
Before the fire work show kicked off at about 10pm, local families enjoyed plenty of activity during the Community Family Fun Festival at the Community Park.
As parents sat enjoying the music and munching on food from various vendors, the children slid down an inflatable slide, battled each other with padded staffs in an inflatable ring or playfully ran around the park.
“Everything has been so nice starting with the parade,” said Morgan Hill’s Veronica Espinosa who has attended the festival for four years. “It was pretty good, though the alcohol is too much with kids around.”
Morgan Hill resident Julie Sullivan said the festival was a nice touch for celebrating America.
“It makes me feel very patriotic being here,” Sullivan said.
Jason Martin of Morgan Hill said he liked the festival and the atmosphere, but it wasn’t quite like what he remembers from coming several years ago.
“There needs to be more activities,” Martin said. “There is just food and music. It used to be a lot bigger.”
Already planning for next year
Plans are already in the works for next year, according to Bob and Maureen Hunt.
The Hunts already have been meeting for several months planning next year’s parade and Manning said IDI has become a year-round organization.
Next year’s theme will reflect the Morgan Hill’s 100th birthday: Morgan Hill Centennial, A portrait of America.
But both the Hunts and Manning said before they get too serious about next year’s event, they’ll spend a little time recovering.
“I’m sleeping tomorrow, don’t know about anyone else,” Manning said. “But I will be here to make sure all volunteers are thanked appropriately.”
Fourth of July Parade Winners
Grand Sweepstakes – Indian Association of South County
Great Theme Award – Patriotic Singers
Equestrian
Charro – Claudio Arroyo
Novelty Mounted Group – Coyote Valley Regulators
Junior Mounted – CHSA Royalty Court
Senior Mounted – Gold Coast Arabians
Mounted Pairs – Shinning Star Ranch
Horse Drawn Vehicles – Gilroy Carriage Company
Individual Senior – Claudio Arroyo
Family Group – Blue Bells
Overall Juniors – CHSA Royalty Court
Floats
Business and Professional – Sigma Properties
Amateur Nonprofit – Pacheco Pass 4H Club
Amateur and Nonprofessional Musical – Sandoshin Taiko
Vehicles
Antiques 1916-1929 – Peter Van Der Veen
Classics 1930-1948 – South Valley Disposable
Decorative Vehicle – Gilroy Unified School District
Vehicle Clubs – Valley Del Sur
Youth Activities
Commercial – United Academy of Martial Arts
Non-commercial – Morgan Hill Gymnastics Parents Club
Bands
Adult Band – San Jose Marching Band
Adult Drum line – Live Oak Alumni
High School Band – Oak Grove High School
Pipe Band – Prince Charles
High School Flag Team – Oak Grove High School
Drum Major – Gilroy High School
Middle School – Union Middle School
Other
Military Color Guard – Oak Grove High School
Drill Team – Salinas Liberty Bells
Miscellaneous – Bid D Motorsports
Other Group Category – Wings of History
Novelty Comics Individual – Guitars not Guns
