Morgan Hill Historical Society: Old-fashioned fun on the front lawn at annual Villa Mira Monte picnic

Event began last year as a way to reach out to the local community

By Staff Report
The Morgan Hill Historical Society invites you to pack up the whole family and bring your chairs, blankets and picnic baskets for a free evening of music and old-fashioned fun on the front lawn of Villa Mira Monte at 4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 4.
“The Annual Summer Picnic at Villa Mira Monte started last year as a way to reach out to our community with a free and fun family event,” said Kathy Sullivan, an organizer of the event. “The picnic takes our younger generations back to a simpler time before high-tech gadgets and busy extracurricular school schedules filled their days — a time when a family outing to a park was a common weekend activity. A blanket to spread on the lawn and a picnic basket-filled with moms delicious food was all it took to realize life was ‘good.’”
The picnic event’s entertainment includes local musician Janet Thompson on guitar playing the blues. There will also be an “Americana” mix including the popular band The Morgan Hillbillies made up of Janet Thompson (as “Ellie Mae”), Charles Musich (as “Daryl”) and Mike Withrow (as “Earl”). They will perform an eclectic playlist of old favorites to get hands clapping and feet tapping. Sure to get the crowd involved, Mike Withrow and Scott Parker of Dukes of Ukes fame will play old-time sing-along tunes on the guitar and ukulele.
Early 1900s games, stories and scavenger-hunt activities will be available to entertain the kids attending the Villa Mira Monte picnic event, Sullivan said. And attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Morgan Hill History Museum and the Hiram Morgan Hill House.
“We hope to encourage people to get to know the Historical Society and what we do, return to the site, become members, and possibly strike up the interest to get involved, either by volunteering or financial support.
Guests can bring their own picnic meal or they can order a delicious gourmet boxed supper from Catered by Diana at [email protected]. Boxed suppers must be pre-ordered and prepaid by July 30. Diana donates $3 for each meal ordered to the historical society.
Guests may also purchase beer and wine (donated by Morgan Hill Cigar and Wine Shop), water, and lemonade. For those with a sweet tooth, ice cream cones donated by BookSmart will be available for sale. Limited chairs and tables will be provided, so Sullivan recommends guests bring their own chairs and blankets to relax on the lawn.