Music, dancing and dinner entertain attendees
Published in the June 26 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Michelle McKay takes a photo of Brian and Kathy Sullivan at the June 8 “Cove Goes Western” fundraiser. Photo by Marty Cheek
Cowboys and pirates? That might sound like an odd combination, but the two groups of mavericks came together at Morgan’s Cove for a fun evening June 8, raising money for the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce’s education programs.
The pirate village-themed home of Chamber Board Chair Rich Firato, Morgan’s Cove is straight out of “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
His buccaneer-backyard has plenty of fascinating pirate attractions including a treasure cave, a Poppy Jasper mine, and full-scale pirate ship called “The Lady Morgan” that was originally built on Vancouver Island, Canada before it was transported to Morgan Hill and placed in his backyard.
Nearly 150 guests enjoyed themselves in the inaugural “Cove Goes Western” concert. Guests enjoyed steak and chicken sandwiches grilled by San Martin caterer Hire4Fire as the Rodeo House Band played classic country and rock music. After sunset, people wearing cowboy hats and boots boogied under the stars.
“I wanted a fun occasion to wear my cowboy boots,” Firato admitted, explaining how the idea for the fundraiser came about. “One thing led to another and we came up with the cowboy dance party idea.”
One of the highlights of the night was a pirate “battle” skit Firato and several of his pirate friends did on “The Lady Morgan.”
The skit, complete with fake smoke from booming canons and swash-buckling fights on the main deck, was video-recorded for a reality TV show that is being prepared about Morgan’s Cove and how it helps the Morgan Hill community through fundraisers and other events.
The event was so successful that Firato plans to do it again next year to kickoff the Chamber’s popular Friday Night Music Series.
“People who come to Morgan’s Cove always have a great time,” Firato said. “But with cowboys and pirates — that’s an unbeatable combination!”
