A wave of red, white and blue flooded the downtown streets as thousands of patriotic-clad spectators enjoyed the 2017 Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Fourth of July Parade Tuesday morning.
“It makes me proud to be an American,” said Tom Hennessy, who was joined by his wife Teri for front row seats under a tent at the State Farm Insurance office on Main Ave. “If you live in Morgan Hill, if you are not in the parade, you’re here watching it.”
The annual parade was only the centerpiece of the annual 24-hour-plus Freedom Fest Independence Day celebration in Morgan Hill. Local organizers provided a wide array of events and activities surrounding the Independence Day weekend with a youth chorus performing patriotic tunes and a family-centered music fest in downtown July 3 followed by the July 4 early morning 5K run (and 1-mile walk) on local streets, a classic car show, a 2,500-participant parade and a massive fireworks display for a night cap.
“It’s amazing how they pull this off and get the whole town together,” said Stephanie Cappelloni, whose daughter Shelby was partaking in the parade as the President of the Morgan Hill FFA.
Cool, overcast skies accompanied the classic car cruise July 4 before giving way to warmer sunshine just in time for local law enforcement agencies signaling the start of the 2017 parade.
“Morgan Hill started the celebration last night and it ends tonight,” said Cathy Kitterman, who found prime seating on Main Avenue in front of El Toro Brewery. “It’s really awesome.”
Cathy’s husband, Jack, was seated beside her, and they were joined by Morgan Hill neighbors, Brad and Mary Stone.
“We’re American,” said Jack, who marched in past parades with Morgan Hill Pony Baseball League and his daughter with the Live Oak High School Emerald Regime Marching Band. “We’ve been to other countries and there’s nothing like this.”
This year’s festivities were a first for the Stones, who moved from Boston, Massachusetts last year to be closer to their grandson, 20-month old Jackson, who sat in between them for the parade.
“I love it. It reminds me of back home,” Mary Stone said. “It’s a first. It’s something we’ll never forget. We’re going to take lots of pictures so they don’t forget.”
The parade, which began at 10 a.m. July 4, provided lots of fun memories for spectators and participants alike.
“We love it,” added local resident Sonia Sidle, who was accompanied by her husband Doug and two children, Paul 12, and Emilie, 8. “It’s so family friendly and (we get to) celebrate America. It’s just so much fun.”
The grand marshal (or grand marshal organization) for the 2017 parade was a tribute to all firefighters who serve the Morgan Hill area, including Morgan Hill Fire Department and Cal Fire Santa Clara.
The nonprofit Independence Day Celebration raises more than $150,000 and encompasses more than 500 volunteers each year to organize and produce the weeklong activities.
“I love the old-fashioned theme that has continued for all these years we’ve been coming,” shared Teri Hennessy, who moved to Morgan Hill in 1987.
This year’s theme for the Fourth of July parade was “America’s National Parks: 100 years and counting.”
Organizers estimate more than 50,000 parade watchers show up for the spectacle each year to watch the marching bands, colorful floats, a variety of performance groups and numerous specialty entities.
“We’ve sat in the same spot for the last five years,” said Steve Olson, a 40-year resident of Morgan Hill who was seated with his group on Main Avenue just west of Monterey Road. “It’s about pride in your country and pride in your town.”
The Olsons, like many other local spectators, began their Fourth of July celebration at the parade and then continue with a family barbecue before checking out the Fireworks on the Green event at the Outdoor Sports Center in east Morgan Hill.
