The holidays descend in full force on downtown Morgan Hill this
weekend, with Santa, parades, a carol sing, choral and instrumental
music, mimes and dozens of decorated trees
– all called “Hometown Holidays 2003.” And it’s all free.
The holidays descend in full force on downtown Morgan Hill this weekend, with Santa, parades, a carol sing, choral and instrumental music, mimes and dozens of decorated trees – all called “Hometown Holidays 2003.” And it’s all free.
Two entertwining events will make the weekend extra-special for adults and children alike who want to enjoy the magic of the season.
Beginning Friday night and ushering in three days of celebration, the Rebekah Children’s Services will sponsor a dinner and live auction, 6-10:30 p.m. at the community and cultural center. (The dinner is the only event that is not free – $75 per person, 846-2400). Rebekah volunteers will also show off their handiwork called the “Festival of the Trees,” throughout the weekend, along with an evening of Christmas music and holiday desserts on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
“Hometown Holidays” kicks off Saturday at 5:30 p.m. with the annual Kiwanis Holiday Lights Parade complete with Santa’s Magic Ship. The parade route follows Monterey Road from Fourth Street, north to First Street, then on to Extraordinary Gifts on East First Street where Santa will stop for refreshments (for all) and visits with children. Santa promises to stay until he hears from the last child.
The Magic Ship is an ark-like float covered in lights that holds the ‘Visitor in Red.’ During December, as it has for 29 years, the ship travels around Morgan Hill, visiting businesses, retirement homes, neighborhoods and day care centers. It particularly enjoys visiting parties, and brings candy canes and toys to children. Santa will be thrilled to have his picture taken with children. Donations go to stocking the ship; any profits go directly to the local Boy Scout program and help to subsidize summer camp fees for some scouts. The Magic Ship is sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 779 and Venture Crew.
After the parade – at 7 p.m. or so, Mayor Dennis Kennedy will light the official Morgan Hill holiday tree, installed last weekend by Kiwanis, Rotary and other helpful hands, where First Street crosses Monterey Road.
Both parade and tree lighting refuse to be rained out this year – so, if the skies threaten, come prepared, organizers said.
Once the tree is lit and the final parade entry trundles by, the festivities move on to the Morgan Hill Community Center, Monterey Road at East Dunne Avenue, 7 -9 p.m. or later, when Santa leaves. Schoolchildren will compete for tree-decorating prizes for their classes (donated by Kiwanis and Rotary clubs).
The public can vote for their favorite tree through Saturday, Dec. 20 at several downtown stores. Ballot boxes can be found, starting on the west side of Monterey just south of West Third Street and ending up at East Third Street and Monterey Road: Vintage Pear, Art Scene, Brotin, Thinker Toys, BookSmart, Morgan Hill Florist, The Seed Company, Chamber of Commerce, General Store, Rosy’s at the Beach and House of Bagels.
Between 7:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday, the sound of music will be heard at the center with an old-fashioned community carol sing. Students of Lori Paolini and Dorothy Martin from the Music Tree, mime and dance by Acts in Motion will entertain – all free.
The Rebekah holiday treat continues with its decorated Christmas trees, holiday lights, a Gingerbread Village, Santa’s Village, Christmas Concert, cookie decorating, children’s activities and other family entertainment both days, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with live entertainment.
MUSIC ON SUNDAY
More than 70 musicians and entertainers will dazzle the community with a Holiday Concert on Sunday, 2-5 p.m. The lineup includes the music students of Lori Paolini and Dorothy Martin, mime and dance acts by Acts in Motion, Donna Tapella from Morgan Hill Wind Symphony, Steve Gorman from South Bay Swing Band, Blue Dog Band, other local bands, artists and children’s and church choirs, including one from Suzanne’s Music Studio. Santa might very well drop by (parents, bring cameras) and refreshments will be available for all.
All Hometown Holiday events are free to the public.
The Hometown Holidays celebration is brought together by Hometown Holidays, Inc. with significant help from the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, the City of Morgan Hill, the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, and Morgan Hill Teacher donors.
Rebekah Children’s Services has provided foster care, adoption, 24-hour residential care, prevention/education services, outpatient therapy, an on-grounds school for severely emotionally disturbed children and Wraparound family services in Santa Clara County for more than 107 years.
All events (except the parade and tree lighting) are held in the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road. Details: www.rcskids.org or 846-2400 for Rebekah events. See Events, page A2 for specific times and details of Hometown Holidays and Holiday Happenings, page A7 for special winter, Christmas and Hanukkah.
