Published in the February 17 – March 1, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Jeff Dixon
The Morgan Hill Freedom Fest continues to keep our community legacy of celebrating July 4th and our county’s freedoms alive. Made possible by the dedicated efforts of 20 year-round and more than 500 event volunteers, it counts on the generous financial support of local businesses and residents. This year is no different.
Costs increase every year. This year, we’ll see them rise again. Although the volunteers are not paid and many in-kind donations help keep costs down, the cost of running six events in two days is more than $150,000. Each year for the past 13 years, as part of the Independence Day Celebration family, I continue to be amazed by the generous support that comes from the city, its businesses and residents. We are blessed to be part of what is truly a community effort.
The fundraising team has exciting ways to recognize our supporters. Free entries in our car show, 5K run or world-class parade, along with preferred seating at the Family Street Dance, Fireworks on the Green show or parade route are some of the ways your support will be recognized. We also have ad space in our award-winning program. Sponsor levels run from as little as $200 up to $25,000 leaving room for any level of participation. They include Patriot — $200, Independence — $350 and Liberty — $500. At the corporate levels, they are Celebrate America — $1,500, Freedom — $2,500, Stars and Stripes Forever — $5,000, America the Beautiful — $10,000, We the People — $15,000 and Star Spangled Banner — $25,000.
These funds allow IDC to ensure our parade, in its 141st year, remains the best in northern California. It also enable us to keep the Family Street Dance downtown and fund the fireworks show with new, exciting displays.
Of course, money isn’t the main reason Freedom Fest happens: volunteers are. Each event is run by dedicated chairperson(s) who have full lives and are not in the professional event-planning business. Many of them have been doing so for decades. They in turn are supported by tens, to hundreds, of volunteers who handle everything from vendor coordination to street closures to permits to entertainment. Each year as the event dates approach, these folks go into high gear to provide unique and fun celebrations for the community. This year promises to be even more fun.
We will start July 3rd at the Patriotic Sing at the Community and Cultural Center then move downtown for the Family Street Dance. Early the next day, we kick off festivities downtown with the 5K Run/1K Walk starting at City Hall followed by our Car Cruise, then the Parade with equestrians, bands, community groups and floats. After the parade you can enjoy the Car Show back at the Community and Cultural Center parking lot. Take a short break and head to the Fireworks on the Green Show at the Outdoor Sports Center with fireworks set off after dark. This makes for a fun-filled family day.
To our long-time supporters, we thank you and hope you will continue your support. To our new neighbors, we hope you will see fit to help us throw the best July 4th celebration in California as a sponsor or volunteer or both.
For more information on the Independence Day Celebration, Inc. Freedom Fest events or to donate or volunteer, please go to www.mhfreedomfest.com or call us at 408-779-1776.
Jeff Dixon is the president of Independence Day Celebration. He wrote this column for Morgan Hill Life.
Published in the February 17 – March 1, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
