People often say one of the things that makes Morgan Hill such a great place to live is the number of people who get involved. Whether it be pouring wine at the Mushroom Mardi Gras, picking up trash at the Taste of Morgan Hill, sitting on one of the city’s boards or commissions, or walking in the Relay for Life, Morgan Hill residents stand tall when it comes to helping others.
Now, residents have another chance to help. Independence Day Celebration, the group that puts on the Freedom Fest events every Fourth of July, is looking for a host of volunteers for the many events scheduled for the first week of July, especially for this year’s Fireworks on the Green event.
“One of the unique things about Morgan Hill is the high level of community service and community spirit and how we help each other,” IDC President Jeff Dixon said.
Morgan Hill has been celebrating Independence Day in various ways for more than a century, and from what started as a picnic and a horse race, has grown into a festival that includes a Bike Classic, Patriotic Sing, Family Music Fest, Freedom Run, Car Cruise and Show, the Parade, and the Fireworks on the Green to conclude the celebration.
“We’re growing and improving what we provide for the community,” said Frances Nance, chairperson of the publicity committee. “We’re getting bigger and better and this year is the biggest.”
The all-volunteer nonprofit expanded the Festival on the Green this year. It begins at the Outdoor Sports Center immediately after the parade concludes and will include a diaper derby, pie eating contest, tug-of-war, scavenger hunt, arts and crafts booths, a Kids Zone with water activities and jump house and more. There will also be a wide variety of local musicians beginning at 1 p.m. and playing throughout the day.
The events begin Saturday June 28 with the Bike Classic, that includes a six-mile tour along Coyote Creek Trail, as well as a 13- and 30-mile tour along the same trail. There is also a 100-mile tour this year, and a 100-kilometer (62 miles) ride through South County’s rural back roads.
The Patriotic Sing, a musical performed by hundreds of school children, takes place at 6 p.m. July 3 at Britton Middle School. That is followed by the Family Music Fest, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Downtown Amphitheater with a tribute to U.S. Veterans with a color guard presentation and the singing of our National Anthem. The South Valley Wind Orchestra will make a special appearance that will be followed by The Usual Suspects to cap off the evening with their high energy classic rock.
The next morning the July Fourth events begin with the Freedom 5-K Run and One-Mile Walk at 7:45 a.m. along the parade route, then the Car Cruise and Show at 9:30 a.m. followed by the parade at 10 a.m.
Morgan Hill’s annual Fourth of July Parade is considered to be the best home town parade in Northern California and is the official Santa Clara County Independence Day Parade. A street audience of more than 50,000 line the route to watch the more than 2,500 participants.
From there, many residents will head to the revitalized Festival on the Green for an afternoon of fun. The firework show, the largest and most spectacular ever produced in Morgan Hill, according to organizers, will begin at dark.
All of these events take months to organize, and it’s all done by volunteers. Here is a chance for students to add community service to their college application and for residents to give back. Be a part of the fun. Volunteer!
GIVE BACK
To sign up to volunteer for any of the events, go to mhfreedomfest.com.
