The Morgan Hill Freedom Fest once again offered a true taste of Americana for the Fourth of July holiday week. The annual parade – with its patriotic pageantry – went off without a hitch and was followed by the fireworks display, which this year was held at a new venue boasting a roomier, spacious viewing area that garnered rave reviews.
The parking, which previously was free and this year cost $10, “was a little funky but, overall, there’s a lot more space. Everything is close by – the music, the vendors, the restrooms,” said Teresa Hernandez, a 1995 Live Oak High School alumna who sat with her two children, Evelyn, 7, and Eric, 10, as well as her mother to cap off Independence Day festivities at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Complex.
Tens of thousands of spectators – residents, out-of-towners, out-of-staters and, even, some from other countries – flocked July 4 to South County, which put on Independence Day events throughout the week.
However, local residents, such as 90-year-old LaGina Metcalf, know if they want the prime spots along the parade route, the earlier the better. All types of chairs tied together and lassoed around nearby trees or poles begin to line Monterey Street in downtown Morgan Hill days before the city’s highly anticipated parade.
“It gets earlier and earlier every year,” said LaGina, who on July 3 had a relative set up chairs for 27 family members and friends on the median of Monterey Street in downtown.
Metcalf, a Morgan Hill resident since 1954, worked at the old Morgan Hill School for 27 years and was the city’s 1993 Woman of the Year. Her husband, the late Clarence Metcalf, and grandson, Ron Moore, were former grand marshals of Morgan Hill’s Independence Day parade.
“I’ve never missed one,” said Metcalf. “It’s such a big family tradition. They all come from out of state to visit with grandma.”
The same family-friendly atmosphere was present later that evening at the fireworks show, which this year changed venues from Community Park on Edmundson Avenue to the outdoor sports arena on Condit Road.
“I’d rather come here than Great America any day,” said Manuel Ambriz, a marine who made the trip up from Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, along with his wife and children, to be with about 15 family members for the big show. “(Community Park) was an amazing spot, but it was too small.”
Families and friends sprawled out along the grass soccer fields at the complex, which offered more of a concert-like ambiance as attendees positioned themselves in front of the giant stage.
“We’ve been doing this forever. I’m just continuing the family tradition with my kids to make it special for them,” said Hernandez, whose family all agreed afterward the new venue made it “the best year ever, definitely.”
Chad Moore, a 1986 Live Oak High School alumnus and one of LaGina’s 11 grandchildren, made the 10-hour drive down from his home in Willamette Valley, Ore., along with his wife Beth and their two children.
“We just come for grandma,” said Chad, who marched in the parade with the LOHS band years ago. His children have also participated in the 5K run.
“My kids get a real taste of Americana by coming down to Morgan Hill,” he continued. “That’s what’s really important.”
Anna Moore, 13, one of LaGina’s 12 great grandchildren, said the road trip from Oregon is “long, but it’s worth it.”
While she enjoys the parade, her favorite part of the annual family trip is the family party afterwards.
“It’s fun to be with my cousins,” added Anna’s younger brother Josh, 12, sitting next to his cousin Abby Seeley, 10, who rode down from Modesto with her older sister for the festivities. “I like the fireworks at night.”
The fireworks show capped off a slew of patriotic themed activities for the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest, including the Bike Classic at Coyote Creek Trail; the Patriotic Sing; the Family Music Fest; and the 5K Walk/Run.
The car cruise – a seemingly never-ending line of classic vehicles in all makes and models from Ford, Chevy, Dodge and others – kicked off the parade, which rolled through downtown Morgan Hill and hung a left down Main Street.
“This is fantastic,” said Ernie Romer who, along with his wife Marlyn, from Scotland, were visiting friends in Hollister. “I love watching the bands.”
With more than 130 entrants in the parade, there were marching bands aplenty, including groups from Live Oak and Ann Sobrato high schools as well as San Jose’s Valley Christian and Oak Grove high schools.
Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate rode in one of the brand new, bright red fire engines, recently purchased by the Morgan Hill Fire Department, while Morgan Hill Police Chief David Swing cruised along in a classic Oldsmobile police vehicle.
“I think it’s great. I love it,” said spectator Marlyn Romer. “I think everyone should be patriotic.”
And everyone who was anyone in the South County area converged on Morgan Hill amid mild 70 degree temperatures. Notable faces included District 1 Supervisor Mike Wasserman, City Councilman Gordon Siebert, past Morgan Hill mayors, the Morgan Hill Unified School District administrative staff and members of the Board of Education and local military personnel and their families.
“Morgan Hill is a beautiful town,” said Monterey’s Steve Mast, who drove his 1966 Dodge 500 Coronet convertible and was one of more than 20 award-winners at the car show. “The people here are really friendly.”
