If you want to know whom to thank for Morgan Hill
’s spectacular, two-day Independence Day celebration, the list
is long. But the most praise should be heaped upon the heads of the
Independence Day, Inc. committee, headed by Bruce Tichinin.
If you want to know whom to thank for Morgan Hill’s spectacular, two-day Independence Day celebration, the list is long. But the most praise should be heaped upon the heads of the Independence Day, Inc. committee, headed by Bruce Tichinin.
If you want to thank somebody for the best-ever parade –it’s been happening for at least 109 years – also designated the Official July Fourth Parade of Santa Clara County – thank Bob and Maureen Hunt. They’ve been organizing this complicated affair for many years. (10 a.m.-noon, Friday, July 4, downtown)
• Karen Crane earns kudos every year for rehearsing 200 schoolchildren for the Patriotic Sing. (6-7 p.m. Thursday, July 3 at the Britton Gym)
• Dennis DalPoggetto organizes the Old-Fashioned Street Dance into a fine old family-friendly, neighborly event. Check out the food, drinks, live entertainment at Second Street and an early surprise. (7-10:30 p.m., Thursday, July 3, downtown)
• Early Friday morning, runners and walkers will gear up, (some in costume) for the 5k Race/Walk starting at P.A. Walsh school. This is Charles Weston’s inaugural year organizing the race. (Registration starts at 6:45 a.m., race starts at 8 a.m., West Main Avenue)
• Dawn Marie Breyer is the Family Festival in the Park chair this year. The event is designed to entertain Morgan Hillites of all ages between parade end and the fireworks beginning and is always a terrific way to while away the afternoon picnicking, playing and listening to music. Rides and activities in the Kids Zone are free this year. (11 a.m.-7 p.m., Community Park).
• Fireworks, of course, are the biggest deal of all. $10,000 worth of spectacular pyrotechnics will begin at dark. The best views are from Community Park but the elevated part of the show can be seen from east and west hills. Tim Gall is the fireworks chair.
These event chairs are not alone but are supported by dozens of helpers. Bob Snow and Rich Devlin handle the entertainment, Dick Peterson the golf tournament (held the Friday before the Fourth), Rich Gamboa is vice-president and also wrangles the slick, magazine format IDI program – free around town. Clean up is handled by Mike Morin, logistics by John Geddes jr., Luis Gomez and Steve Stratton, publicity by Daryl Manning and her committee, volunteers by Julio Hanmore, fundraising by Jeff Roth and police liaison by Sgt. Mark Brazeal and Chief Jerry Galvin.
The City of Morgan Hill has co-sponsored the events for several years and provides some funds for operations plus quite a few city staffers volunteering their own time.
IDI has collected many sponsors big and small, including Cochrane Road Self Storage, Fry’s Electronics, Guglielmo Winery, Anritsu, Marie Callender’s, Nob Hill Foods and South Valley Disposal.
But most of all, this year, three men deserve an extra special thanks. Hamdey AlTayyeb, Bruce Tichinin and Alex Kennett are underwriting the Kids Zone so no child is turned away because they lack money for tickets. AlTayyeb and Media Arts are providing some of the special gifts given to motorists paying $10 for close-in parking at Community Park.
Details about all events: www.mhidi.com or 779-3387.
