Everybody expects parades and fireworks on the Fourth of July
but Morgan Hill gets a lot more, including an event that deserves
more attention. Sandwiched between the parade
’s end and the fireworks display is a Sunday afternoon of fun,
entertainment and relaxation at the Family Festival at Community
Park. From rides and bounce houses in the KidZone ($5 for unlimited
rides) to live music by Canyon Crew, Juz-Cuz, The Fast Lane Band
and The Dadz, there is something for
everyone.
Everybody expects parades and fireworks on the Fourth of July but Morgan Hill gets a lot more, including an event that deserves more attention.
Sandwiched between the parade’s end and the fireworks display is a Sunday afternoon of fun, entertainment and relaxation at the Family Festival at Community Park. From rides and bounce houses in the KidZone ($5 for unlimited rides) to live music by Canyon Crew, Juz-Cuz, The Fast Lane Band and The Dadz, there is something for everyone.
Families are encouraged to come early, stake out a shady spot with a picnic and enjoy the day. Food and drinks are available for sale – homemade picnics are welcome too – as is the official T-shirt designed by an artistic Morgan Hill sixth grader, Cierra Creer.
A diaper derby and pie eating contest should put people in mind of an 1895 midwestern July Fourth, transferred to the not-so-wild west.
While the 49er Gold Rush Girls had been scheduled to perform, they have had to cancel because they are flying to Dallas, Texas, to welcome home soldiers from Iraq. Daryl Manning, president of Independence Day, Inc. (IDI) the all-volunteer group that produces the two-day celebration, said she thought people would understand.
“But we may have a surprise or two to make up for them,” Manning said.
She said people can sign up for the 1:30 p.m. diaper derby early by calling Mike Torres at 848-3707, or at the Festival park grounds from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
“Just ask directions at the volunteer check-in booth by the park’s entrance off Edmundson,” Manning said.
Big hungry folks can sign up for the 4:30 p.m. pie-eating contest at the Marie Callender booth and everybody can get in on the ground floor of a new musical group.
Juz-Cuz, a popular group of six young men from Morgan Hill and San Martin, will share their professional debut CD release with all Morgan Hill at a CD Release Party at 3:15 p.m. at the bandstand.
For people who want to just wander around, there will be plenty of arts and craft vendors, people to see, ducks to watch and trees to shelter under while waiting for the spectacular fireworks display to start at dark. Morgan Hill Police remind everyone that to keep houses and fingers safe, this is the only legal fireworks display in town.
Close-in parking for the festival and fireworks are a $10 per car donation but comes with a “goodie bag” worth at least that much. But – all proceeds go to help pay the cost of the celebration – more than $90,000.
COACH TO COPTER
Mayor Dennis Kennedy will straddling three centuries in his transportation choice for the parade (11:30 a.m. downtown). First he will fly the entire parade route in the CALSTAR medical helicopter, then return quickly from the airport landing zone, Kennedy will board the Wells Fargo stagecoach to make a slower way around the Monterey, Main, Peak, Dunne parade route.
“It’s the two extremes,” Kennedy said, “the new and the old, tried and true.”
Kennedy said CALSTAR is trying to expand the public’s awareness of what they do, which is transport the sick and injured to hospitals – whether they can pay or not.
With 220 entries, including 11 marching bands and musical groups, this is the largest parade in the Bay Area. It’s also about the oldest, at 110 years.
The parade, festival and fireworks are just three of two-days of events planned as the entire town considers the meaning of the Fourth of July, freedom and the joys of barbecue.
Parade organizers Bob and Maureen Hunt want everyone to come to the parade prepared for a hot day. The forecast for Sunday is in the low 90s after early morning clouds and some afternoon breeze, cooling off to the 60s later at night.
Misters, water, sunscreen and sunhats should be seen along with the lawn chairs and American flags along the parade route.
VOLUNTEERS
IDI is still short of volunteers to lend a hand at all events, from Saturday’s Patriotic Sing and Street Dance up to the fireworks.
To volunteer an hour or two of your time – or that of friends and family – call Debbie Tawney, wr******@pa*****.net or 782-0927.
Manning said she was thrilled with her committee and with the response of the business community that signed up to sponsor the celebration. Private donations have helped, but they could still use more.
Details: www.mhidi.com
