Published in the July 20 – Aug. 2, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Jeff Dixon
A boy demonstrates his American pride during the Patriotic Sing. Photo by Marty Cheek
Jeff Dixon
Along with other Freedom Fest volunteers, I commonly deal with the common misconception that the city of Morgan Hill or the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce or others produces the six events that comprise the annual Morgan Hill Freedom Fest. The fact that Independence Day Celebration, Inc. (IDCI), a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, produces Freedom Fest is a tough fact to get across to the public. So we correct perceptions one at a time and work hard to give Morgan Hill a tremendous July 4 celebration. And it works.
It works because the city of Morgan Hill, the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and many, many Morgan Hill residents and organizations support our efforts. The annual Freedom Fest is truly a community effort. Without your financial support and time, we couldn’t make it happen. Without you there to enjoy the events, it wouldn’t be worth it. For both of these reasons, everyone has our sincere thanks.
As many know, Morgan Hill has a 140-year tradition of celebrating July 4. Since 1982 it has been IDI now IDCI running the events. We have grown from a parade, picnic and fireworks in 1876 to the Patriotic Sing, Family Street Dance, 5K/1Mile Freedom Run, Car Cruise and Show, Independence Day Parade and Fireworks with a Splash that we enjoyed this year. This growth has necessitated equal growth in our organization. IDCI currently has a board of five directors plus six event chairs and a steering committee of 12 or more people who all support the events. Almost 500 volunteers work the events as well. It is a tremendous team effort, an all-volunteer team.
Photo by Marty Cheek
Jury Kick Ranchette marches through downtown Morgan Hill during the 2016 Fourth of July Parade.
We each have our own reasons for volunteering — an interest in community service, patriotism, wanting to give back or sometimes just because a friend asked us to. Many of the IDCI team have been involved for 15 years or more. Bob and Maureen Hunt, the recently retired parade chairs, have been with the group for 30 years. We are in a time of transition and looking for new volunteers to join our organization.
We need leaders in areas of publicity, fireworks event, fund-raising, logistics, even on the board of directors. Of course, no one can step immediately into these roles. Event chairs typically hold their position until they are ready to move on and usually groom their replacements. The IDCI rotation plan calls for at least one year serving as an understudy, one year running the activity, then one year training your replacement. It is a process that has worked for years, if you have replacements coming forward.
That is where you come in. If you are reading this column, you probably live in the South Valley area. You have maybe been to at least one of our many Freedom Fest events — and hopefully you enjoyed yourself. Please consider joining our team. As a 13-year veteran, I can personally attest to the rewarding feeling that comes from bringing Freedom Fest to Morgan Hill and the rest of the South Valley region each year. From a commitment stand point, short of the days surrounding the event itself, the time required is relatively light. The rewards far outweigh the workload.
You can be part of Freedom Fest team bringing 80,000 to 100,000 people to Morgan Hill each July 3 and 4.
Many of these folks will be your friends and neighbors, but even more will come to Morgan Hill just to see a Freedom Fest event downtown or at the Outdoor Sports Center and Dennis Kennedy Morgan Hill Aquatics Center. This brings economic benefit to local businesses, which in turn encourages growth which gives us a greater variety of choices in town. It is a direct way for you to help our community succeed.
Freedom Fest is a July 4 celebration not just for Morgan Hill. People in the surrounding communities of San Martin, Gilroy even San Jose also enjoy it. It celebrates America and our regional community. We invite you to come help keep it going. Go to www.mhfreedomfest.com to volunteer or get more information.
Jeff Dixon is the president of Independence Day Celebration Inc. He wrote this column for Morgan Hill Life.
