From stagecoaches to flyovers, this year
’s Fourth of July parade will have something for everyone. But
heat could be a problem. Moved from its usual 10 a.m. start time to
11:30 a.m. to accommodate Sunday Mass at St. Catherine’s Church –
the parade route goes right by the church’s front door – the parade
will step off as usual t
o the delight of thousands of South Valley residents and their
out-of-town guests.
From stagecoaches to flyovers, this year’s Fourth of July parade will have something for everyone. But heat could be a problem.
Moved from its usual 10 a.m. start time to 11:30 a.m. to accommodate Sunday Mass at St. Catherine’s Church – the parade route goes right by the church’s front door – the parade will step off as usual to the delight of thousands of South Valley residents and their out-of-town guests.
But because of the later start time and the likelihood of hot weather, organizers have urged parade participants and the crowds lining the streets to take precautions.
“We told all participants in a letter to bring misting bottles for their members,” said Maureen Hunt, who, with her husband Bob, has organized the parade for years as part of Independence Day, Inc. “Parade marshals will keep an eye out for people dragging along and other signs and the equestrian people are also taking extra precautions.”
Water, sun screen and hats are recommended as part of the viewing apparatus, along with American flags and lawn chairs. Temperatures are forecast to be in the warmish upper 80s.
The parade and its five sister events make up the high point of the local summer; all are produced entirely by the volunteers of IDI and supported by businesses, corporations and private citizens and co-sponsored by the City of Morgan Hill,
And, it has for more than 110 years. The Morgan Hill Historical Museum has photographs of a bevy of summer-clad ladies atop a farm wagon decorated with red, white and blue bunting – a float in a parade dated 1894.
This year’s 220 entries make the Morgan Hill IDI parade the largest in the Bay Area, beating out the usually huge Redwood City parade. It was already designated the Official Santa Clara County Parade.
The 2004 parade will start off with a release of 75 white doves by Bay Area Doves; highlights include the Spirit of Freedom Squadron – a big hit in 2003 – and includes members from Morgan Hill, Hollister, Concord and London, England.
Four 1941 bi-planes will do their thing with smoke and the CALSTAR medical helicopter will fly over the crowd with Mayor Dennis Kennedy inside. Before his flight, Kennedy and his wife Eileen will traverse the parade route atop the Wells Fargo stagecoach. Other City Council members will have their own cars in the parade as will a delegation from Morgan Hill’s Mexican Sister City, San Martin de Hidalgo, in Jalisco.
The 19th century will also be represented by a hitch wagon with eight mules from the historic gold mining town of Sonora.
Hunt said she is excited to finally be the largest parade.
“I know we have always been the best,” Hunt said.
She was proud to have 11 musical groups, including high school marching bands, several bagpipe groups, symphonic bands and Mariachis.
New this year, Hunt said, is that several local businesses including Johnson Lumber/Ace Hardware, will sponsor the bands.
Floats will range from little red wagons to a giant shoe entered by the California Shoe Inn to an entire airplane – with folded wings – from the Wings of History Museum in San Martin. Drill teams, balloonists and many popular equestrian groups, both on horseback and riding in buggies.
Residents wanting a shady spot to watch the parade will find it on the Monterey Road center divider, and, in past years, on the south side of West Main Avenue, under the trees along Peak and the south side of West Dunne Avenue. However, the sun will be overhead during most of the parade and will reduce shady areas.
Misters and squirt guns could add to the “fun” too.
MILITARY DISPLAY
Pictures, letters or stories of deployed and stateside active military will be displayed in the Britton Middle School gym during the Patriotic Sing held on Saturday, July 3, at 6 p.m.
If anyone would like to contribute a poster/story board or picture, please bring it to the Britton Middle School gym on Friday, July 2, from 6:30-8 p.m. or Saturday, July 3, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Items will be safely kept until arrangements can be made for pick up. Please make copies of all items, as Britton cannot be held responsible for returning originals. Also, please include name and phone number on all pieces. Details: Mary Ellen Salzano at 779-6916 or Karen Crane at 779-0205.
IDI can still use valued volunteers for all events. Call Jennifer Grifall, 710-6388 or 778-6770.
Details: www.mhidi.com. Carol Holzgrafe covers City Hall for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at
ch********@mo*************.com
or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 201.
