This summer’s Independence Day celebration – an annual flagship Morgan Hill event that attracts tens of thousands of people to town – could see some big changes as organizers try to accommodate growing crowds while maintaining the holiday’s family-friendly atmosphere.
None of the changes are finalized yet, but spokespeople for the Independence Day Celebrations nonprofit for the events say they should make the Fourth of July safer and more comfortable for residents and visitors.
And one of the city’s favorite Fourth of July events – the annual Independence Day parade – will maintain the same route through downtown it has enjoyed for decades, organizers said.
The two biggest proposed changes, for which the organization is still in the permitting process, are to the July 3 Street Dance and Concert, and to the July 4 evening fireworks display – both of which might see new venues this summer, IDC president Charles Weston said.
The relocation of the annual street dance is likely to cause some consternation among downtown Morgan Hill dining and entertainment establishments that have historically benefited financially from the event.
The July 3 Street Dance has taken place downtown, along Monterey Road between First and Third streets, for more than 15 years. Organizers are now working on moving the event to the Community and Cultural Center, which has an amphitheater and lawn.
Over the years, the street dance has grown to a size that the all-volunteer organization found last year is getting increasingly difficult to manage, Weston said.
The street dance downtown last year brought some “safety concerns” and “inappropriate behavior” that is hard to control because the event and the crowds are so spread out over the downtown area, Weston said. It’s hard to regulate alcohol consumption, and to keep an eye on who is coming and going, he added.
The community center will bring the street dance back to a more “folksy, small-town” event, Weston said.
“We’re trying to celebrate freedom and we’re trying to do it a kind of idealistic, small-town, clean way,” Weston said. “We’re trying to limit the amount of alcohol and make it more kid-friendly.”
And while some downtown businesses that profit off the annual downtown street dance are wondering where their interests fit into the IDC’s plans, Weston said financial matters are a concern for the nonprofit too. It costs about $140,000 to conduct the week-long extravaganza which includes a 5K run, car show and, of course, the downtown parade.
A board member of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, who is not involved in planning for the events, noted that even just shutting down the streets for the July 3 concert is expensive by itself. “I think it’s probably a wise move,” MHDA president Eric Wallace said.
But some downtown vendors aren’t so sure.
July 3 and July 4 are two of the biggest sales days of the year for the M & H Tavern, according to owner Susan Hall. Moving the July 3 event away from the Tavern’s area which is in the heart of downtown would potentially significantly cut those sales back.
She added she hasn’t noticed any alcohol-fueled mischief or annoyances during the July 3 dance over the years.
“It would make more sense to me to keep it downtown, and try to promote our downtown merchants and businesses,” Hall said.
Rosy Bergin, owner of downtown restaurant Rosy’s-at-the-Beach, added that July 3 is usually “super busy” at her seafood restaurant. Moving the street dance even just a couple blocks down to the community center would “definitely” affect those sales. And the whole downtown vibe would be different without the street dance there, she said.
“The whole town comes out. It’s a nice night for everybody to see their friends and neighbors. It’s always been really great,” Bergin said.
Sinaloa’s manager Billy Surber added that during downtown events such as the July 3 street dance and the Taste of Morgan Hill, the restaurant does at least 20 percent more business than a typical weekend night.
The IDC is working on moving the Fourth of July fireworks for similar reasons. Their new preferred venue – the baseball fields on the north side of Sobrato High School – will accommodate bigger crowds, better pre-fireworks activities, more parking and bigger fireworks.
The volunteers are currently working with the school district and other agencies to acquire the necessary permits, Weston said.
Weston noted the crowds for the fireworks have also grown progressively over the years, as most surrounding cities have eliminated or cut back on their Independence Day fireworks displays. He explained the uninhabited “fallout” zone is bigger at the north Morgan Hill site, potentially allowing fireworks that are almost twice as big as those allowed at the current venue, the Community Park.
Plus, since the school is outside of town, the parking as well as entry and exit plans for the venue shouldn’t cause as much of a disruption as they do at the Community Park which has hosted the fireworks for about 15 years. And with better parking management, the volunteers will be able to charge for fireworks parking, allowing them to raise more money.
Pre-fireworks entertainment, including live music and kids’ games – as well as plenty of room for families and spectators to sprawl out on the grass with a picnic – will still be available at Sobrato if the new venue is secured, Weston assured.
