Celebrating Independence Day in Morgan Hill
By Tearsa Hammock

Of all the great choices our area has to offer for celebrating July 4th, where do we at Out and About recommend the most? The City of Morgan Hill is one of the only two cities in the San Francisco Bay Area to have all day events surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. They’ve been doing it right for over a hundred years! Records of Independence Day festivities there date back to the late 1800s. That’s a long time to instill a strong sense of pride, patriotism, and community in the town. Articles and pictures speak a thousand words of all the fun to be had back then at events such as a parade, a picnic, and horse and foot races.
What do the celebrations look like today? Well, as a matter of fact, instead of just one, there are two full days of fun events for the whole family. Every July 3rd and 4th, Morgan Hill has its Patriotic Musical, Downtown Street Dance, Car Show, Parade, 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk, Festival, Live Bands, and of course, the Fireworks Extravaganza.
Starting Thursday, July 3rd is The Patriotic Sing, a musical performed by local students at the Britton Middle School Gym in Downtown Morgan Hill. It begins at 6pm and lasts one hour. Two to three hundred children of the community come out to sing songs of our country. Come support the young generation in this presentation in honor of our United States of America.
Immediately to follow, head over to the main stage at 2nd and Monterey Street for the annual Street Dance and Live Concert. Beginning at 7pm, this year’s dance and concert will begin with the National Anthem and will feature high energy classic rock band “The Usual Suspects” proudly performing for the sixth time. They typically attract five to eight thousand people with their music including covers of the Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Carlos Santana, AC/DC, John Mellencamp, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Don’t miss out on this one!
On the big day, Friday July 4th, the Freedom 5-K Run & 1 Mile Walk starts at 7:45am. The big race commences at P. A. Walsh School and runs the length of the parade route. Cheer on the participants as a spectator or participate yourself in the thrill of this race. It’s just $30 per person. More info including child and group fees as well as a copy of the registration form can all be found on the official website for Morgan Hill’s Independence Day events at www.mhidi.com.
Probably the most anticipated event of the whole celebration (besides the fireworks), Morgan Hill’s Historic 4th of July Parade sets off downtown at 10am and goes to 12noon. This is the largest privately organized parade in all of Northern California, the official Independence Day Parade of Santa Clara County, and was also voted best parade and program by the Cal-Fest Awards. It, as well as all the events are privately funded, organized, and staffed by volunteers provided by the non-profit citizen’s group, Morgan Hill Independence Day Celebrations, Inc. (I.D.I.). Last year these events attracted more than 50,000 people, taking well over $90,000 and requiring nearly 300 volunteers to organize and produce it. You won’t regret being a part of this grand affair.
From 11:30am to 2:30pm will be the Downtown Family Festival and Car Show with live entertainment by the “Morgan Hill Starlight Lounge Band” featuring dance music from the 50s to the 70s. Relish the classics of both music and cars.
While waiting for the fireworks, why not enjoy some more Pre-Fireworks Entertainment? Located at the Morgan Hill Community Park, Kevin Corcoran plays from 6:30-7:30pm with acoustic rock and pop favorites of the 70’s and then from 7:30-9:30p “The Dadz” go on with classic rock favorites and oldies. These guys cover everything from the Beatles, Roy Orbison, the Ventures, and the Kinks. So, you know they’re going to have something to get you onto your feet.
Finally, to kick off the night will be the Fireworks Extravaganza in the park beginning at sundown. The Patriotic Musical performers will return here for a cameo appearance at the show. As you listen to these inspiring songs of liberty, marvel at the dramatic, colorful display that has come to represent our freedom. It will be an Independence Day to remember. See you there.
With the area’s growth in the last two years it has been somewhat of a challenge to put on these events because of budget. If you, your company, or organization (or if you know of one) would like to be included in sponsorship of this Award Winning Event Program and other promotional activities feel free to contact Rich Gamboa, the 2008 Fundraising Chairman, at (408) 776-9153. IDI - Morgan Hill Independence Day Celebrations, Inc. - P. O. Box 1776 Morgan Hill, CA 95038.

All of the following listings take place July 4th, Independence Day

4th of July Fireworks Celebration
Scotts Valley Community Center & Skypark
Scotts Valley • 831-438-3251
www.scottsvalley.org
Enjoy a parade, live music, bounce houses for kids and delicious food. Admission $7. Gates open 3pm. Fireworks 9:15pm.

10K Firecracker Race & Kids 1K
Henry West Park, Santa Cruz • 831-439-7049
www.SantaCruzFirecracker10k.org
The most scenic, challenging course in SC. The race starts and finishes in Harvey West Park. 10K Registration fee: $30 in advance/$35 on race day. Kid's 1K registration fee: $10 in advance / $15 on race day. Same-day registration: 7am. Kids 1K starts 8am. 10K 8:30am.

‘50s Family July 4th Fest
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton • 831-335-4484
www.roaringcamp.com
1950’s-style sock hop, dance, and hula hoop contests. Sack races, balloon toss, BBQ & more. 9am-5pm.

Gilroy Fireworks Display
Gilroy High School, 10th Street, Gilroy
A spectacular fireworks show. And it’s FREE! Begins at 9:15pm. Graniterock PopsRocks. Independence Day Festival. A.R. Wilson Quarry; Aromas, CA 831-768-2007 • 888-ROCK-100. www.graniterock.com. Featuring fireworks show, barbeque dinner, and two-time Grammy winner Kenny Loggins. Adult tickets: $45, Children (5-16): $10, and Dinner tickets: $21. Gates open at 4:30pm.

Kiddie Parade & Fireworks
Hollister
10am - Parade at Veteran’s Memorial Park. At dusk - Fireworks Show in field adjacent to Marguerite Maze Middle School. Children of all ages are welcome to participate: walk, ride, roller skate, roller blade, etc.

Morgan Hill Independence Day
Downtown Morgan Hill
(note preceding full-length article for detailed info) This big weekend celebration starts on July 3 with a Patriotic Sing, live music and dancing. On the 4th, start out with a pancake breakfast, Freedom 5K Run and 1 Mile walk, parade, car show and fireworks.

Old Fashioned 4th of July Fireworks
Los Banos Fairgrounds
www.ourlosbanos.com
Free fireworks show at the Spring Fair site. Food and game booths and contests will also be available for the evening. Old-Fashioned Independence Day. Wilder Ranch State Park, Hwy. 1 North of Santa Cruz • 831-426-0505. www.santacruzstateparks.org. Watch the parade at 12noon, followed by flag raising, live old-time music, crafts, ice cream making, and games. 11am-4pm. FREE.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day
“World’s Shortest Parade”
Soquel Dr. & State Park Dr., Aptos • 831-688-1467
www.aptoschamber.com
Pancake breakfast 7:30-10am. Parade 10am. Party in the Park with great food & drinks, live music, games, and an variety of vendors. 11am-4:30pm.

Spirit of Watsonville
Downtown Watsonville • 83l-768-3266
www.spiritofwatsonville.com
Celebrate Independence Day & Watsonville’s 158th Birthday. Pancake breakfast, downtown festival and parade. 2-5 pm.

Spreckels 4th of July
Spreckels Park, Middle of Third Street
10K run, a one-mile race for kids under 12, and a grand parade of children along 3rd St. There will be live music, Fireman’s Muster, a craft fair, and food booths. Race begins at 7:30am. Registration ends July 2.