Once again
– for at least the 109th consecutive year – the people of Morgan
Hill showed that a small town can celebrate our Nation’s birthday
in a big way.
EDITOR:
Once again – for at least the 109th consecutive year – the people of Morgan Hill showed that a small town can celebrate our Nation’s birthday in a big way.
On behalf of Morgan Hill Independence Day, Inc. (IDI), I want to thank the tens of thousands of people who shared the 4th of July enthusiasm at the Firecracker Golf Tournament, Patriotic Sing, Freedom 5000K Run/Walk, Street Dance, Parade, Family Festival and Fireworks. IDI is an all-volunteer, non-profit, local organization of approximately 35 of your neighbors who plan nearly year-round to bring off these events with the assistance of 300 “day of” volunteers who work shifts being parade marshals, drink pourers, parking lot attendants, etc.
The City of Morgan Hill is a generous sponsor of these events, too – this year providing up to $25,000 in city services and insurance premium payments. In mentioning this year specifically, let me begin by personally apologizing to everyone inconvenienced by the long wait for the fireworks, and most particularly the long-winded and irritating IDI commercial which I authored. The delay was necessary because of unusually high winds that threatened to blow the fireworks into the viewing audience. We will look into the possibility of increasing the size of the fall-out zone next year.
At the Street Dance next year we will make sure there is enough room close to the band for dancers, before allowing seating for those who merely want to listen.
Did you notice how much bigger and better the parade was this year? It is now the largest 4th of July Parade in all of Northern California, besting runner up Redwood City’s parade. Thirteen bands to their five, and 19 floats to their seven, etc. The reason is we increased our payments to bands and float prize purses by $2,500 this year.
I hope you also enjoyed the free entry to all the rides and games for the kids at the Family Festival, a move that reduced our income by approximately $2,000 (over and above the donation of the cost of the rides by three local residents). On top of this, in the deepening of the recession this year, our corporate and individual donations have fallen significantly below what they were last year.
So, if you are one of the many who enjoyed our events this year but have not made a donation, please do your part to assure that the costs of this year are covered, so we can start work immediately for next year. Every person donating $25 or more will be recognized in a “thank you list” in the Morgan Hill Times. Please send your donation today to: IDI, P.O. Box 1776, Morgan Hill, CA 95038-1776.
For fun, visit our website at www.mhidi.com
Finally, many thanks to each of the 300 individuals who contributed their time and energy by working one of our “day of” shifts. The sacrifices made by you and our donors each year are the only reason Morgan Hill has been able to keep the tradition of this patriotic celebration for more than a century, while it has died out in so many other places.
My special gratitude goes to all the members of the South County Islamic Center who turned out so magnificently to help this year.
Bruce Tichinin, President, Morgan Hill
Independence Day, Inc.
