There will be Fourth of July fireworks in Morgan Hill after all
despite tight new rules from terrorist-sensitive Washington, D.C.
The restrictions could have dampened the town
’s two-days of patriotic celebrations.
There will be Fourth of July fireworks in Morgan Hill after all despite tight new rules from terrorist-sensitive Washington, D.C. The restrictions could have dampened the town’s two-days of patriotic celebrations.
The federal Safe Explosives Act requires, as of May 24, perpetrators of pyrotechnical displays to get a seriously involved permit from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Fortunately, Morgan Hill’s fireworks are under the ATF radar.
“We are a small display,” said Bruce Tichinin, president of IDI (Independence Day, Inc.) the volunteer group that organizes the two-day celebration. “Only large displays need this permit.”
Small or not – which past fireworks watchers might dispute – the fireworks display caps a rousing show of patriotism that starts July 3 with several hundred well-prepared elementary schoolchildren singing patriotic songs in the Britton gym. The songs are followed by an emotional slide show of scenes across the country – a “this is who we are” show. Patriotic essay contest winners read their work and veterans and military personnel are asked to stand – an event sure to attract attention in this year of war.
After the sing (6-7 p.m.), kids, parents and everybody else still in town retire downtown for an old-fashioned Street Dance, complete with live band, The Dadz, lots of food and entertainment. It’s like the Friday Night Music Series, only bigger and with food.
The Dadz, by the way, play classic rock, including The Beatles, Roy Orbison, Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones – all the faves.
The official, flag adorned IDI T-shirt will be sold at both events, allowing residents to suit up appropriately for July 4. The 2003 shirts’ art work was designed by Stefania Mercante, an eighth-grader from Carden Academy. Stefania first entered the design in the city’s recycling contest – it is an American flag partially made from newspaper. Contest judges immediately recognized the design’s possibilities and notified IDI for their consideration.
• Friday, July 4 will dawn bright and early – or foggy and early, no one minds which – with the 7th Annual 5k (5000 meter) race/walk with an 8 a.m. start at P.A. Walsh School, 350 W. Main Ave. Day registration packets will be available on site starting at 6:45 a.m. Details or to register: www.mhidi.com or call Charles at 779-6686.
People are encouraged to come in costume if they want – think Bay to Breakers in Morgan Hill with prizes for the best costume. Chip timing will be available for those serious about their sport; everyone who registers will get the official T-shirt. Everybody else just has a good time. At the same time, folks can tuck into a pancake breakfast at Walsh, 6:30-10 a.m.
Breakfast ends at 10 a.m. because that is start time for the parade, the official Santa Clara County Fourth of July Parade. Morgan Hill has celebrated the Fourth of July with a parade for at least 109 years.
• Headed by parade impressarios Bob and Maureen Hunt, the Morgan Hill affair contains an ever-increasing number of bands, 11 this year including a formidable troop of bagpipers said to be the best in the nation. Sprinkled among the bands, the crowd (and it is quite a crowd) will see a bevy of competitive floats, and floats just for fun, equestrian groups, kids, dogs and goats and public officials making the tour in convertibles, classic and otherwise.
Chosen as grand marshal is George Lewis, the 104-year-old veteran of both world wars. Also being honored are all military personnel who served in the latest gulf war. Contact the Hunts at 779-3387.
Adding a new dimension to Independence Day, Pietro Roselli, mayor of San Casciano, Morgan Hill’s Italian Sister City, will be in town with his family and will be highly pleased to ride in the parade, according to Mayor Dennis Kennedy. The mayor is spending several days visiting Kennedy, who was treated to a pleasant visit to San Casciano last October.
The parade starts at Monterey Road at Fourth Street, proceeds north, turns onto West Main Avenue, left on Peak Avenue, left again on West Dunne Avenue and around the corner back onto Monterey for the finish.
• Once the parade ends, the next chapters begin when activity moves to Community Park. The Family Fun Festival (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) is designed to occupy kids and adults alike, with rides, food and drink from local restaurants, wineries and breweries and more live music all afternoon. Arts and crafts fans will find an area to keep them busy.
Musical attractions included The Canyon Crew, a local country rock band and rock and roll to make you dance by Fast Lane Band followed by alternative rock by Epoch and SongQuest.
For the first time ever all activities in the Kids Zone are free. In the past, IDI used ticket sales to help defray the $80,000 cost of the celebration. However, because the need to buy a ticket has always shut out some children, three local men, Hamdey AlTayyeb, Tichinin and Alex Kennett, will underwrite the rides. This year’s Kids Zone aims to entertain kids of all ages with a bounce house, a giant slide, rock ‘em – sock ‘em, tunnel maze, spin art and the ever-popular water wars and rock climbing wall.
• The $10,000 fireworks extravaganza begins at dark but first, after the festival folds its tents, The Usual Suspects take the stage to play the night away. Patriotic Singers (from the Britton sing) will reprise some of their favorites. Food booths will remain open. Bring chairs or a blanket, join your neighbors, and enjoy the benefits of small town life.
• Parking close-in – at the lot between the park and Monterey Road – will cost $10 and will help with that $120,000 in expenses. However, each $10 comes with a “goodie bag” full of pens, coffee mugs, tote bags – a big bag full of stuff including a gift certificate worth $12.95 at My Pizza, in the old Nob Hill Shopping Center on West Main Avenue. Courtesy of Thomas Kinkade’s Media Arts, the bag will also include a small battery-operated lighthouse statue, valued at $55.
• It’s not too late to sign up for the Seventh Annual Firecracker Golf Tournament, this Friday, June 27, at the Gilroy Golf Course. 11:30 lunch, 12:30 Start, 782-9955 for details.
• Volunteers – singles or groups – are still needed to help the IDI committee work the actual events. Contact Julia Hanmore at ju*************@*******nk.net or 778-4132.
IDI is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from private citizens and local businesses as well as support from the City of Morgan Hill.
For schedule, details on events or sponsorship/donation/volunteer opportunities, go to www.mhidi.com or call 779-3387.
