Entertainment – Street Dance highlights 29th Annual Taste of Morgan Hill

Some new and exciting additions added to this year’s festival

Published in the September 26 – October 9, 2018 issue of Morgan Hill Life

Morgan Hill Life file photo
Crowds stroll through downtown during last year’s Taste of Morgan Hill.

If the National Weather Service is right, visitors to the 29th Annual Taste of Morgan Hill should expect sunny weather in the mid-80s at the event held downtown Saturday Sept. 29 and Sunday Sept. 30.

The Taste will provide continuous musical entertainment beginning at noon each day, promised Sunday Minnich, the event’s chief organizer.

Expect some changes compared to previous years to enhance the experience for visitors, she promised.

“We have quite a few new, exciting things happening this year,” she said. “People — and especially families — attending will have a great time finding some of the fun activities we have in store for them.”

On Saturday, families are encouraged to visit the Morgan Hill Youth Art Show from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Pop-Up Park on West Second Street and Monterey Road. The Custom & Classic Car Show is adding a Hot Rods & Harley show on Sunday. The Taste has also added a second stage to its line-up called the GVA Café Acoustic Stage which will be located on East Second Street right outside the popular coffee shop and lounge.

Morgan Hill Life file photo * Crowds stroll through downtown during last year’s Taste of Morgan Hill.

“As a family friendly-festival we are also proud to announce the new Mom & Baby Rest Stop located at the intersection of West First Street and Monterey and sponsored by St. Louise Regional Hospital,” Minnich said. “And in case you missed it, our new program with all the information you need to know about the festival was inserted in the Sept. 12 Morgan Hill Life newspaper and will also be available at registration located on West First Street. Thank you to D.R. Domenichini Construction for sponsoring our program and making it happen.”

The tradition of having South Valley people grooving and moving to the music will continue with the popular Saturday Night Street Dance. At this year’s Taste, it will be held on the Festival Stage on West Third Street with extended hours from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Special guest appearance by James Wesley from Nashville will kick off the street dance with dancing and crowd favorite, The Hitmen will bring in the crowds as the headliner.

On the Main Festival Stage at Third Street, here’s the music groups that are scheduled: Saturday: 10 a.m. is Moondance; Noon is Undercover;  2 p.m. is Mike Osborn; 4 p.m. is Usual Suspects;  6 p.m. is Rock the Heat; Sunday: 11 a.m. is Michelle Lambert; 12:30 p.m. is Fastlane; 4 p.m. is Cocktail Monkeys; and 4:30 p.m. is  Bent.

On the GVA Café Stage, here’s the music groups that are scheduled: Saturday: 10 a.m. is Steve Siacotos; 11:30 a.m. is Aprylle Gilbert; 1 p.m. is Steve Barbour; 2:30 p.m. is Tom Drake; 4 p.m. is Steven Gary; 5:30 p.m. is Free Spirit; Sunday: 10 a.m. is Lost Coast Duo; 11:30 p.m. is Rick & Rae; 1 p.m. is Cookin’ Fenny Combo; 2:30 p.m. is Lambert & Company; and 4 p.m. is Austin Freeman.

During the festival, nearly 200 arts and crafts vendors will entice visitors to buy their wears or learn about their products and services in their booths. The Taste will have a full block of handcrafted vendors in its “Artists Area” including wine barrel furniture, pottery, glass art and jewelry, unique clothing and accessories, tiled firepits and tables, wood signs, photography and paintings, gifts for doggy friends, textiles, garden metal art and much more

The various mechanical rides and other attractions in the Kids Zone will take up a full block on the east side of Monterey with vendors on the west side of Monterey.  There will also be a full line-up of kids entertainment on the California Sports Center Stage in the Sinaloa Mexican restaurant parking lot.

And, of course, a wide sampling of tasty food will be the starring attraction at the 29th Annual Taste of Morgan Hill, Minnich reminds readers.

“We have a wide variety of food to please everyone’s palate in the food court located on East Third Street,” she said. “From grilled artichokes, kabobs, tri-tip sandwiches, Mexican food, deep fried veggies, waffle puffs, grilled peach with ice cream, Asian cuisine, hot dogs and hamburgers, grilled shrimp and much more.”

For those who want to cycle to the Taste, free valet bike parking will be provided by Bike Therapy, located on the corner of East First Street and Depot, where people can make sure their wheels are kept safe. The 2018 Harvest Quilt & Fiber Arts Show is back at the United Methodist Church on West Fifth Street and Monterey Road.

This year’s presenting Taste sponsor is breast imaging company Mammography Specialists, Minnich said. She encourages people to visit their booth in Business Row on Monterey between Third and Fourth street to thank them for their support.

“Everyone from locals to visitors from around the Bay Area love coming to the Taste of Morgan Hill because of the amazing entertainment and people-watching opportunities,” said John Horner, president and CEO of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce which puts on the event. And for people on a budget, it’s a bargain. Entry to the Taste is free.