Largest family festival will be held beginning at noon at the Outdoor Sports Center
Published in the June 11-24, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Music will be a big part of this year’s Fireworks on the Green event which starts at noon July 4 at the Outdoor Sports Center.
Morgan Hill Life file photos
Reviving an “old-fashioned” tradition, the Freedom Fest events this year will culminate with a fun-filled day on the grass at the Outdoor Sports Center followed by the biggest and most spectacular fireworks show the city has ever seen, according to organizers.
The fields will open to the public at noon, immediately following the parade through downtown.
“This year, the fireworks will be bigger and better than ever,” said John Tawney, who along with his wife Debbie co-chair the Fireworks on the Green event. “There are some new fireworks debuting this year including new pyrotechnics that stream from the ground up.”
People who come early may bring in umbrellas, pop-up tents or canopies, but all must be placed well to the side to enable all good viewing angles of the stage. Everything must be dismantled by 8 p.m. to allow maximum viewing for all visitors of the fireworks show at dusk. The fireworks will be launching from the middle of the south fields. The concert and picnic area on the north fields will provide a majestic view of the show. A large assortment of food options will be available from vendors.
This year, a new tailgating section for about 40 to 60 cars has been added for $35 per car. A secondary tailgating area will cost $25 per car. Both provide great views of the firework show. Pre-sale tailgate spots are available at www. mhfreedomfest.com.
The day 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 playing country, rock and blues, beginning at 1 p.m. and playing throughout the day. Beer will be sold from 1 to 9 p.m.
After the fireworks show, another band will play for about 30 minutes, encouraging people to stay a little longer and minimizing the traffic leaving the venue. Police will be monitoring traffic before, during and after the event.
“Last year we had some problems,” Tawney said. “We learned lessons and hope it’s better But we’re looking at 20,000 to 30,000 people all leaving about the same time.”
Carpooling, walking or biking to the OSC would help a great deal, he added.
“Our goal is to make it a very exciting show for those in the community and visitors who would like to come out and see the show at no cost,” Tawney said. “We’re trying to bring it back to the old-fashioned family fun day. It’s really going to be an exciting adventure this year.”
Donations
It takes more than $145,000 and more than 500 volunteers each year to organize and produce the entire 4th of July celebration. Organizers rely entirely on the support of patriotic citizens and local businesses and corporations to fund the festivities.
The past three years have been difficult financially and funding has fallen short by $15,000 each of the previous years, according to IDC organizers. The fireworks show alone costs more than $15,000 to produce, not counting the cost of security and set up.
To donate, visit www.mhfreedomfest.com.
