It looks as though the weather is finally ready to cooperate
with a Morgan Hill event. Where most spring outdoor events have
been rained out or depressed by dreary skies, the 24th Annual
Mushroom Mardi Gras this weekend should see Bay Area weather at its
best.
It looks as though the weather is finally ready to cooperate with a Morgan Hill event. Where most spring outdoor events have been rained out or depressed by dreary skies, the 24th Annual Mushroom Mardi Gras this weekend should see Bay Area weather at its best.
Temperatures should hover around 80 degrees with partly cloudy skies and light winds.
The two-day event is traditionally held at Community Park, on Edmundson Avenue just west of Monterey Road. The 2002 Mardi Gras hosted 20,000 people each day, including 4,000 volunteers needed to make the event run smoothly.
Organizer Tilly Mayeda said she expects good things to happen again this year. The festival, run to earn scholarship money for college-bound high school seniors, revolves around continuous musical entertainment, arts and craft vendors and a raft of food offerings – many involving the grand fungus – that surpass the imagination.
Children will find plenty to keep them happy and entertained from Munchkinland for the little ones to Water Wars, a climbing wall and the ever-popular reptile and spider man for older kids and teens.
Families will find everything they need in the area, including the baby changing/mothers’ nursing area.
Gary Hoey, Wishbox Voices featuring members from Pat Travers’ band, and Montrose play the Main Stage on Saturday. Sunday presents Brigitte DeMeyer, Gary Hoey and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra and Sheila E. Stefan Couture plays both days in the lower-profile Wine Tent.
Pets and carry-in food and drink are not allowed. The Mardi Gras and nonprofits use the festival food and beverage sales to raise money for scholarships and on-going good works.
The Mardi Gras has a reputation for few unseemly incidents and the Morgan Hill Police Department works hard to keep it that way.
“The Mushroom Mardi Gras is one of the nicest events I’ve seen … The city can be really proud that the event is well done and well-policed,” said Police Chief Jerry Galvin.
Parking in the lots of nearby businesses and walking in to the park is not allowed. The Vineyard and Tennant Station lots, therefore, are off limits to festival goers. Drivers who know the area are encouraged to park at the Caltrain lot on Butterfield, between East Main and East Dunne Avenues or at a lot at San Pedro and Church Streets near Tennant. A free Mardi Gras shuttle will loop around past both sites several times an hour. The San Pedro and Church lot is quite close to the park grounds.
Out-of-towners can park at a lot on West Edmundson, about a quarter mile west of Community Park. Again, several free shuttles will deliver festival-goers to and from the lot and the park.
The Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras, Inc., is a non-profit organization, chartered in 1980, totally staffed by volunteers.
Its purpose is to provide scholarships for area youth. This year the organization awarded $28,000 in $1,000 scholarships for a total of $475,000 over the past 24 years.
Pets and carry-in food and drink are not allowed. The Mardi Gras and nonprofits use the festival food and beverage sales to raise money for scholarships and on-going good works.
Mushroom Mardi Gras is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids over 5 and seniors 55 and over. Kids under 5 are free. Ticket gates will be open on W. Edmundson and Edes Court, off Monterey.
Details: www.mhmushroommardigras.com or 778-1786.
