Chance this July 4 to watch the fireworks from the MH Aquatics Center
Published in the June 8 – 21, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Morgan Hill’s annual patriotic celebration is well underway, with the theme of this year’s Freedom Fest events being “America, My Home Sweet Home.”
The message of the theme means something personal to every individual American, said Jeff Dixon, president of the Independence Day Celebration nonprofit organization that puts on Freedom Fest.
“I’m living in my 18th home. I moved nine times as a child, nine times as an adult,” he said, explaining his own view of the theme. “And home has always meant for me where my family is — and nowhere has felt more like home than Morgan Hill does. There are so many new people coming into the community and, clearly, they’re looking for Morgan Hill to be home. I think it’s what it means to each person.”
Expect some changes to the Freedom Fest this year, he said. The July 4 morning 5K run is now a certified run, a “big deal” for the event because it means runners can use it to gain points to their national ranking. “It’ll bring more people. They’re expecting a thousand runners,” Dixon said. “It’s going to be the biggest race we’ve ever done.”
The starting point of the run was moved to the corner of West Dunne and Peak Avenue instead of in front of P.A. Walsh STEAM Academy where it has been placed in previous years.
The popular Classic Car Cruise after the run will bring in about 100 cars and many owners of antique and hot rod cars plan to be in the parade this year. This will be followed by the parade, with veterans advocate Eddie Bowers serving as the grand marshal.
“The parade looks like it’s going to be great. The fireworks look like they’re going to be great, too” Dixon said. “The show we had last year was so cool, but I’ve talked to Jim Ackers (in charge of the show) and he’s going to make changes that I think are going to be a big hit with everyone.”
He did not want to reveal these changes in order to let the fireworks show at the Outdoor Sports Center be a surprise.
“We’re also cooperating with the Morgan Hill Aquatic Foundation and so we’re going to have ‘fireworks with a splash,’” he said. “Our event is open to the public and it’s free at the Outdoor Sports Center. They’re going to have an event where you pay to get into because the funds go to pay for the swimming pool. So people can go in there at six o’clock the night of the fourth and get to stay to watch the fireworks.”
The price of admission is $15 for adults and $10 for kids, he said.
The Family Fun Night event partnering the Aquatic Foundation with the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest will enhance the Fourth of July festivities for South Valley families, said Danean Smith, president of the foundation.
“We are excited about combining fireworks by the poolside and I know Dennis Kennedy would be,” she said. “Dennis was always trying to build bridges and bring everyone together.”
For many years the mayor of Morgan Hill, Kennedy died in March. This year to honor him, the parade and the Patriotic Sing will be dedicated to his memory. The Patriotic Sing, which will be held July 3 at the Downtown Amphitheater, will also be dedicated to Bill Brown, who served as the emcee for the children’s concert for many years.
“I think Dennis will be happy to know we will continue to carry out his wishes and our mission for all kids to have the opportunity to have swim lessons and save a life,” Smith said.
Families at the Aquatics Center will be able to enjoy games, raffles, music, water slides, food and plenty of fun for kids of all ages, she said. Tickets are required and are available in advance at MorganHillAquaticFoundation.org, CRC or morganhillfreedomfest.org.
IDC is working to make “My Homesweet Home” a theme for all Morgan Hill to engage the community, Dixon said. The group is providing VIP seats at the fireworks show and the right to light the first test shot as raffle prizes for schools to help raise money, he said.
“We want to keep that hometown feel,” he said. “And ‘Home Sweet Home’ is not just in Morgan Hill. It’s a region. When we talk about the wineries, we talk about the South County. We don’t just talk about Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Martin. When we talk about things to do, we talk about Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Martin, about the people and the friendliness of people.”
Growing up in a small town in Ohio, Dixon said he feels passionate about how Freedom Fest has grown into a way for the region to come together and celebrate American values.
“I do it because I like community service. I like giving back to my community and helping out,” he said. “I like the idea that we do our July Fourth celebration uniquely in Morgan Hill.”
