Published in the May 27-June 9, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Cheri Devlin
Cheri Devlin
The Fourth of July in Morgan Hill is a celebration that I always make sure my family is in town to enjoy. This year’s lineup of festivities and exciting changes won’t disappoint.
The community spoke up and Freedom Fest 2015 responded. Family Music Fest is coming back to downtown Morgan Hill July 3 with the main stage located at Monterey Road and Third Street. The music will kick-off with the national anthem at 7 p.m. followed by a lineup of entertainment, including The Usual Suspects from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Similar to previous years, gourmet food, beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. And of course we’ll have a number of fantastic downtown restaurants to choose from as well.
Just one block away at Second Street and Monterey Road the teen and 20-something crowd will be gathering from 7:30 to 10 p.m. for the annual and popular DJ & Dance.
If you make your way downtown early July 3, be a part of the 27th Annual Patriotic Sing, which also has a new location — the Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater located on the corner of Dunne Avenue and Monterey Road. Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, July 3, you’re invited to watch and listen to the children of our community continue a tradition that has been celebrated for decades. The music celebration will honor America by saluting our military and honoring “Those Who Serve.” Soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines who have served or are serving in our Armed Forces will be asked to stand and be recognized for their service and sacrifice.
July 3 will be buzzing downtown, but so will July 4 starting bright and early with the annual 1-Mile Walk/5-K Walk/5-K Run. Registration is from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at P.A. Walsh School. The Car Cruise n’ Show starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Parade at 10 a.m., and the grand finale of Fireworks at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center on Condit Road will begin at dark.
A few more changes this year that you should be aware of:
• Morgan Hill Freedom Fest is asking that you please do not place your chairs along the street median for the July 4 parade until 11:30 p.m. July 3. Anticipated attendance for the July 3 street dance is expected to top 4,000 people, and the streets and median will be hosed down by the fire department prior to the dance. They cannot be responsible for any chairs on the street median strip, so please wait to set up your chairs.
• Downtown is closed to traffic at noon July 3 for the dance.
• Lost and found, including children, will be at the volunteer tent located at Third Street and Monterey Road.
• Security will be wearing yellow vests.
• Avoid searching for a parking spot by riding your bike downtown July 3 and lock it up at one of the designated bike racks that will be provided for the dance.
Events of this caliber need your support. Be sure to mail in your donations, or visit the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest website at www.mhfreedomfest.com/ to volunteer, or make a secure donation online. July might be one of our hottest months of the year, but certainly one of my favorites. This is a great time to invite family and friends to experience Morgan Hill, so I hope to see you there.
Cheri Devlin is a Morgan Hill resident and president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association Board of Directors.
