2023 Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Program

A Message From the President

A Star Spangled Celebration

On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key watched as 19 ships from the British Royal Navy bombarded Fort McHenry, outside of Baltimore Harbor, for 25 straight hours. An estimated 1,800 cannonballs were launched at the fort and the American protectors housed inside. And yet, when the smoke cleared, a small battle flag that had been posted throughout those 25 hours was still flying. As the sun rose in the sky, that battle flag was lowered and replaced by a massive American Flag made by Mary Pickersgill and her 13-year-old daughter as a beacon to the resiliency of those inside that fort protecting Baltimore. The site of this battle so moved Francis that he wrote the poem that later became the Star-Spangled Banner and ultimately the national anthem in 1931.

During the past three years, this country has faced more than its share of challenges and continues to do so. At times, scrolling through social media or watching the news, we might find ourselves falling into fear or anger that seems to be swirling around us. If that is all we see, it could feel like we are in the darkest of nights. And yet, by the Dawn’s Early Light We See that Our Flag is Still There!

We see neighbors helping neighbors during the floods this past year. We see friends and strangers together clearing storm drains, moving branches, even pushing cars during one of the wettest winters on record. We see groups of friends cleaning up trash from our rivers and sides of the road. We see businesses donating extra food to those who have lost their jobs. There is more resil-

iency and love than there is fear and hate. There is an entire community that thinks about others over oneself, a community that also gives time and money to help others.

My 4-year old son, on the drive home from school one day, said he helped another student in class, and it felt great. Then he asked what else he could do to help others. Our culture of helping others; of volunteering our time at religious organizations, community events or nonprofits, is partly what binds us together as a community and country and is the envy of many around the world. But this is not inherent in our DNA, this only continues to the next generation when we both teach and demonstrate kindness and respect to others and model willingness to give a small part of ourselves. Our entire July 4th celebration is a living testament to those ideals, paid for by small donations and put on by volunteers. My hope this July 4th is all of us take time to remember that when we give a little of ourselves, we are the beacon that shines out “O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”

MATTHEW STEIN

Matthew Stein

IDC President

Mission Statement

Independence Day Celebrations (IDC) is a non-profit organization committed to uniting the community of Morgan Hill, CA around the vision of our founding fathers who boldly proclaimed that “all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” We are committed to reinforcing and sustaining the principles of American freedom in our community through Independence Day events of the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest.

Mark Turner Mayor

Letter From Our Mayor

MORGAN

Each year on July 4th, like other communities across this great land, we reflect on the freedoms afforded us by the work of our Founding Fathers and so many other men and women throughout our history, who bravely fought, and in many cases, died for the right to be free. As we mark this nation’s 247th birthday, allow me to welcome you to Morgan Hill’s version of that celebration. We are honored to have you.

The opportunity to celebrate our country’s birthday always dazzles spectators and brings guests to our city from all over the region. Morgan Hill is proud to host the July 4th parade and festivities that the Freedom Fest organization has coordinated for almost 150 years. These events build a sense of camaraderie and community as we join together to enjoy one of the many things that makes Morgan Hill a wonderful place to be.

On Monday evening, July 3rd, the party begins with the Patriotic Sing, as children from our community perform a concert in the Downtown Amphitheater. Immediately following that, the Family Music Fest takes place in our downtown with music and entertainment for all ages. Bright and early Tuesday morning, July 4th, you can walk or run the 5k Freedom Run. Kids can also run the 1-mile fun run along the parade route. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m., and the day is capped off later that evening with our spectacular fireworks show at the Outdoor Sports Complex. While enjoying the festivities in Morgan Hill, I hope you will visit our premier restaurants, boutique retail shops, and award-winning wineries.

A big shout out to the volunteer team at Independence Day Celebrations, who coordinates all the Freedom Fest events and activities. Should you happen across any of these volunteers, be sure to let them know how much you appreciate their efforts.

On behalf of the Morgan Hill City Council, our City Manager, and the hard-working city staff, thank you for visiting. Enjoy Morgan Hill and the fun-filled events throughout your stay. May the light of liberty and the lamp of freedom continue to burn brightly throughout our land. Happy Birthday, America!

Sincerely,

Mark Turner

Event Schedule

Page 20

Since 1988, Karen Crane, a retired Morgan Hill teacher has taught patriotic songs to the children of Morgan Hill. Join them while they honor our active-duty military and veterans, sing patriotic songs, award scholarship funds, and recognize our essay contest winners.

Page 26

Tuesday, July 4 Downtown Morgan Hill Entertainment 9 a.m.

Morgan Hill’s 147-year history of hosting Fourth of July parades goes back farther than the community was an official town. Come out and enjoy this long tradition and our small-town atmosphere.

Monday, July 3 Downtown Amphitheater (17000 Monterey Road) 5 p.m.

Page 40

This is the first event on July 4. The Freedom Run is both a family fun run for all ages and an important component of the grand prix circuit of the Pacific Association for USA Track & Field allowing some runners to qualify for other runs.

Page 48

This event kicks off the annual parade with the car cruise, showcasing a wonderful collection of collectible cars. The event continues after the parade on Monterey Road downtown with a SOLDOUT car show. Come check out these beauties!

Page 62

Tuesday, July 4 Car Cruise 9 a.m. Car Show After Parade

Tuesday July 4 (SW Corner Peak and Main Street) no onsite registration Children's 7:45 a.m. 5KWalk/Run 8:10 a.m.

Essay Contest…page 14 Live Music Line-up…50

Monday, July 3 Downtown Morgan Hill (Between Main and Dunne Avenues) 6 p.m.

Join your fellow Morgan Hillan’s to celebrate the holiday with dancing and dining in downtown Morgan Hill starting at 6 p.m. July 3. Bring the kids down early to enjoy the (no cost) children’s area. There are three separate stages, a DJ on 3rd, the main stage on 4th and the 5th Street stage. Enjoy food, beer and wine from our vendors or make a reservation at your favorite restaurant!

Page 72

The two-day Freedom Festivities culminates with the Fireworks on the Green. Come out and enjoy live music, food vendors, a pie eating contest, and finally the FIREWORKS! Entrance is free, parking is $15 onsite, $10 pre-paid.

Tuesday, July 4 Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center (16500 Condit Road) Gates Open at 3 p.m. Entertainment at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at dark

Grand Marshal…page 25 Our Sponsors…page 77

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Castillo’s

In the middle of a rainy March, children of Morgan Hill and San Martin began thinking about the sunny, barbecue-filled 4th of July as they were invited to enter Morgan Hill Freedom Fest’s Essay Contest. At that time, our judges had the difficult task of choosing winners in our two divisions: children in Grades 2 and 3 (Primary Grades) and children in Grades 4 and 5 (Intermediate/Upper Grades).

This year’s Freedom Fest Theme, “A Star Spangled Celebration” was reflected in our Essay Contest Topic: “What does the 4th of July mean to you?” Our topics change yearly to reflect Freedom Fest’s theme. For most of our young authors, their entries represent the first time writing an essay and entering a contest. Many youngsters wrote about their hometown memories as they described our Patriotic Sing, Music Festival, Freedom Run, Classic Car Cruise, Parade and Fireworks. Others wrote about the history of the 4th of July and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

We received essays from home-schooled children as well as from students in our public and private schools. We thank our young writers and their teachers for taking time to share their thoughts with us. As the chairperson, I am fortunate to be able to read each and every one of our essays. It is inspiring to see Morgan Hill’s 4th of July through the words of a child.

Thank you to BookSmart for providing a location for essays to be submitted. Our Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club sponsors cash prizes, trophies, and shirts. These prizes will be awarded at this year’s Patriotic Sing held at 5 p.m. July 3 at the amphitheater. However, the favorite prize of our contest is a ride in our 4th of July Parade. Be watching for our contest winners on our Patriotic Sing float!

Please take time to read our winning essays. It’s true, Freedom Fest offers a “Star Spangled Celebration” of the 4th of July for one and all!

Essay Contest

Primary Division

First Place

NOEL S.,

3rd Grade, Mrs. Colton

Intermediate Division

Children in Second and Third Grades

First Place

Do you like fireworks and barbecues? When I think of these, I think of the Fourth of July. The Fourth of July is a special day for America.

It was the day that America won its independence. In 1776, a declaration was signed for America to be free. Now people from all over the world come to America to be free! So just keep this in mind: The Fourth of July is the day that America won its freedom. I LOVE AMERICA!

Second Place

CORA K.

3rd Grade, Mrs. Miceli

Hi, Today I will tell you about what the 4th of July means to me.

First, the 4th of July means celebrating our country’s freedom and spending time with family and friends. Also, remembering the people who fought for our freedom and country.

Second, what I do to celebrate the 4th of July is to watch fireworks with my friends and family and I also go to watch the Morgan Hill 4th of July parade. All in all, my favorite part of the 4th of July is spending time with family and friends. Have a great 4th of July!

Third Place

SCARLETT A.

2nd Grade, Ms. Patel

We celebrate the 4th of July as a birthday for America. The first 4th of July was in 1776. On that day, we signed the Declaration of Independence. By signing the Declaration of Independence, we became the United States of America and were no longer controlled by England. We celebrate this day by having firework shows, having parades, and singing songs that remind us why America is great. In Morgan Hill, we have a big celebration and my favorite part is the “Patriotic Sing.” Singing songs about America reminds us that it wonderful to live in the United States of America.

Children in Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades

This 4th of July, the U.S.A. celebrates its 242nd birthday. It is awe-inspiring to think that it has been 242 years since the first 13 colonies signed and adopted the Declaration of Independence. Our country has come so far!

And, only 96 years after our country began, Yellowstone National Park was founded, becoming not only our nation’s, but also the world’s, first-ever national park. It is an amazing accomplishment that our country was still so new but that people were already thinking ahead to save parklands for future generations to enjoy.

So, if I could give America a birthday gift this year, it would be to expand the federal “Every Kid in a Park” program for 4th graders and turn it into the “Every 4th, 8th, and 12th Grader in a Park” program.

Why would it be a great gift to America to expand this program and include more grades? Kids learn and are inspired by different things at different ages. We come a long way between grade school, middle school, and high school, and it would be a wonderful gift to be able to experience our national parks at those different ages.

For example, the first time I went to Yellowstone, I was very young and I don’t remember much about it other than seeing a geyser and bringing home my favorite stuffed moose toy. But the second time I visited Yellowstone National Park, I remember an adventure. We had bears walk right past our car, saw a mother and baby bison REALLY close up, and viewed thousands of other animals. While watching a family of foxes, we talked with a man whose job is to photograph the wildlife in Yellowstone. After we got home, we got to see his finished photographs of the foxes on his website. I can’t wait to visit Yellowstone again in a few years, and wonder what it will be like then.

Then last year in 4th grade, my family took on a challenge of seeing as many national parks as we could in one year. I learned so much. I saw a rattlesnake and giant trees in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. I hiked underground through an old lava tube and saw a volcano erupting at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I was shocked to learn that such a beautiful island as Alcatraz was used as a prison. I stayed in a cabin without electricity and cooked over a campfire at Lassen National Park. I learned about the Spanish exploration of the West Coast at Cabrillo National Monument. And, my most frightening and sad national park visit was when we went to pay our respects to the fallen soldiers of the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor National Monument.

Visiting national parks during my 4th grade year was pretty amazing. These experiences will stay with me forever. I would love to see more of America’s national parks in the future, and I’d like others to have the same opportunity. In conclusion, I appreciate the chance that the “Every Kid in a Park” program gives us to learn more about our country’s environment, wildlife, and history and think it would be a great birthday gift to our country to grow this educational program to have students be able to visit national parks in 4th, 8th, and 12th grades.

Second Place

When I think about Independence Day, I think about our country’s heroes, our rights, and our freedom in this country. Imagine being in an area that has absolutely no freedom, your country has unfair laws, and you have no control over your choices. I would not be happy, but many countries today still face this issue. These countries have no independence whatsoever, and are miserable. However, we should be grateful we are independent and never have to worry about this happening to us.

Independence Day is a day to celebrate our independence, which is why we should be thanking those who fight for our freedom and rights, such as the Armed Forces, or police officers, who do a big part in conserving our rights and keeping us safe.

When I hear about Independence Day, I also think about how we have our own freedom, we have freedom of speech, the freedom to play our favorite video games like Roblox. And, we have the freedom to read our favorite book series and the right to express who you are.

Our celebrations here in Morgan Hill already do a big part in helping us celebrate Independence Day. I love the parade because I get to eat popsicles and hold flags. A lot of people come so it is fun to celebrate together as a community. I am writing about this because it is important to recognize that we are Independent, we have many free choices. We can also express ourselves however we want. I am proud to be an American!

Please turn to page 12 for more ESSAYS

KARL S. 5th Grade, Mrs. Chappell

ANDY T. 5th Grade, Mrs. McDonald

Third Place

ASZTRYD B. 5th Grade, Mrs. Chappell

Playing in the sun on this year’s 4th of July, isn’t just about the fireworks. It is about the history between the Fourth of July and our great Declaration of Independence! The real question is “Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July?”

The Fourth of July is truly an amazing, and historical celebration. “What historical accomplishment is celebrated by the Fourth of July?” Well, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was founded and led us to freedom. Throughout history, our former leaders of the Declaration were Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. You see, they are the main reason we are here standing, being heard, and under our own blanket of rules. They wrote the Declaration of Independence for our chances of being free and to have better life opportunities, whether it’s a job or anything in life! We celebrate our role models and the Declaration on the Fourth of July in an important, historical, celebration. In order to get a clear picture, we need to know how life was before the Declaration of Independence. Facing this challenge back then, against Great Britain wasn’t easy, Great Britain used to own the Thirteen Colonies. Therefore, Great Britain was empowered to rule all colonies. The colonies were furious at how unfairly they were treated, and how little they got respect. They all deserved equal rights! Soon, came their heroes Thomas, Benjamin, and John. These three were heroes to all. They were the presidents who had introduced us to freedom and brought us to this point.

It took great leadership in order to make the Declaration of Independence a reality. First of all, they had to make great suggestions to be an independent citizen. Second of all, they had to convince their “king” to approve their request. The three presidents convinced their king, therefore they were now free but had to make their own rules. For this reason, they held a meeting in Philadelphia, where other historical meetings have played out. One might think the importance of the Fourth of July is fireworks, the food, and celebrations. However, the spirit of the Fourth of July rests in that, thanks to this, we are free Americans! This means we are empowered to have a better life if we are willing to work hard. We have many options

creases the strength of one’s immune system, and therefore, it also increases one’s life span. Not to mention that a lot of people can’t think straight

The Freedom Fest Patriotic Sing is celebrating its 35th year of teaching the children of our community traditional patriotic songs. Around the turn of the twentieth century, children of Morgan Hill would gather the eve of each 4th of July and sing Patriotic Songs as they decorated bikes and wagons for the 4th of July Parade.

In the late 1980s, the Sing returned, thanks to the efforts of two Morgan Hill residents, Hal Hendrickson and Dr. Ronald Mackley. They asked Karen Ann Crane, a local music teacher, if she would be involved. The Sing returned and was held on the eve of the 4th of July and continues so today.

Soon chorus members knew the words of our traditional songs and once again, the Sing reinvented itself. During the past several years, the Sing has become a way for our community’s children to understand and honor the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces members. We now have second-generation chorus members. We have moved our performance to the Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater where families gather to picnic and enjoy our concert.

We have added our Freedom Fest Essay Contest

Patriotic Sing

KAREN ANN CRANE

Monday, July 3

5 p.m.

which is held in March. You will meet the winning authors at the Patriotic Sing. You can find the essays, in their entirety, in this program.

Members of our chorus participate in various community service projects. At each rehearsal, children are encouraged to bring items to be donated to our deployed soldiers. With the support of the Blue Star Moms, our donations of batteries, socks, and other items on the soldiers’ wish lists, are delivered in “Care Packages” to deployed soldiers. At the Sing, members of our audience and chorus are encouraged to write a note of encouragement to our deployed soldiers. During the year, we also sing at Morgan Hill’s annual Veterans’ and Memorial Day ceremonies.

We are continually adding names to our “Wall of Heroes.” These names have been submitted by our chorus and community members and reflect the people who have served or are serving in our Armed Forces throughout history, from the Civil War, and including WW I, WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq, and Afghanistan. At the Patriotic Sing, you will see families taking pictures of their loved one’s Star and sending it to their soldier, who may be serving overseas. Or, you may witness a Vietnam Vet

standing in front of his Star holding the hand of his grandchild.

For the past three years, we have honored youth who have participated in our choir with the Jane Reed Goularte Memorial Scholarship. This Scholarship is given to youngsters who have participated in our chorus and who are interested in continuing their study of music.

We invite you to listen to our chorus during Freedom Fest’s Fourth of July events. We begin by singing at our own performance, the Patriotic Sing, held at 5 p.m. July 3, at the amphitheater. Then we’re off to sing at the Family Music Festival. On the 4th of July, thanks to Bill Jacobson Trucking, we’ll travel the Parade route singing our socks off for America. We conclude our busy 4th of July by singing at the Freedom Fest Fireworks.

We hope you enjoy this year’s performances. Here you’ll see children of various ethnicities who are the faces of our future. Those faces show respect, enthusiasm, pride, and a spirit of patriotism as we sing the songs of America and honor those who serve.

Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater

Patriotic Sing and Essay Contest Chair

Karen Ann Crane, Patriotic Sing and Children’s Essay Contest

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Grand Marshal

2023 Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Parade Grand Marshal

Educator, Theresa Sage

Heroes come in many different forms. Some run into burning buildings or stand in front of danger to protect others. Many dedicate their lives so others can reach for the stars. This year we recognize one who has dedicated her life to helping others be the best possible form of themselves.

Theresa Sage has been an educator in our community since 1995 when she joined the Morgan Hill Unified team and became an English, social studies and ELD teacher at Britton Middle School. From 1995 to 2004 she taught thousands of middle school students in critical topics. In 2004 she went to Ann Sobrato High School which had just opened its doors as the newest high school in Morgan Hill. For the following 11 years she taught history and psychology, and she added Social Studies Department Chair and President of Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers to her roles.

And yet her desire to help more students pushed her to go further. In 2015 she was advanced to the role of Assistant Principal overseeing counseling, attendance, the Advanced Placement program, and Career Technical Education. Just five years later she was promoted Principal of Ann Sobrato High School overseeing every aspect of education, culture, and social development for over 1500 students annually.

At 16 years old Theresa was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a disease which lead to her blindness in 1995. Through the progression of the disease, she has been told to forget her dreams of becoming a teacher, as well as denied teaching positions. Her perseverance through adversity makes her an exceptional role model.

Theresa shared “I love trying to find the win-win solutions to the myriad of big and small issues. I love trying to find ways to say “yes” to students, families and staff while keeping everyone safe, attaining high levels of excellence, and feeling like they are a part of a very special community.”

Theresa’s strong commitment to excellence, pushing herself and others to meet the needs of students, and her willingness to continue looking for ways to better serve the larger school community make her a great asset to Morgan Hill.

Theresa says, “As a founding member of the staff and a mother of three Sobrato graduates, my heart has been with the school since the beginning. I am proud of the work we have done and a culture we have built that is student-centered while rigorous and ambitious in its expectations. I look forward to continuing to support students and staff as we all reach for excellence.”

It is our pleasure to recognize Theresa Sage for everything she has done for Morgan Hill by honoring her as this year’s Freedom Fest Grand Marshal.

Theresa Sage (second from right) with her family.

Theresa Sage

MORGAN HILL & SOUTH BAY AREA’S BEST PHOTO BOOTH RENTAL COMPANY THE

Parade

A look back at the 2022 Independence Day Parade

For the 147th consecutive year the streets around downtown Morgan Hill will echo with the sounds of horses, bands, kids on floats and the cheers of the crowd. Using the same course as has been the tradition for many years (see map on page ???) the parade will start on the corner of Monterey and Main streets moving up Main, along Peak Avenue, down W. Dunne Avenue and then across on the north side of Monterey Road. This year’s parade will bring back many favorite’s including Johnson’s Lumber handing out American flags, more than 50 equestrians riding their beautiful horses, 300-plus band members in multiple bands riding and marching and well more than a dozen floats not to mention special guests. Don’t forget, the last float will be handing out popsicles to kids and kids at heart. Occasionally there are gaps in the parade that sometimes occur due to a medical or vehicle malfunction, but when in doubt if the popsicles haven’t arrived the parade is not over!

This year we are thrilled to share that there will be several food trucks along the route (see map) for those that might be hungry from all that cheering. We can’t wait for you to all join us for the 147th consecutive Freedom Fest award winning parade!

RAY DZEK MATTHEW STEIN BEV VANDERWEIDE DONNA COWAN

DON COWAN

BOB MUETZENBERG Parade Co-Chairs

2022 Parade Award Winners

• Best Adult Band: Live Oak Emerald Regime Alumni Drumline

Runner Up Adult Band: San Jose Metropolitan Band

• Best Junior Band: Oak Grove High School Band

Runner Up Junior Band: Live Oak High School Band

• Best Drum Major: Live Oak High School

Runner Up Drum Major: Oak Grove High School

• Best Flag Team: Live Oak High School

Runner Up Flag Team: Sobrato High School

• Best Float Professional: Commonwealth

Runner Up Professional Float: Little Gym of Morgan Hill

• Best Amateur Float: South Valley Makos

Runner Up Amateur Float: Freedom Fest Patriotic Singers

• Best Overall Youth Entry: Live Oak Cheer

Runner Up Youth Entry: St. Catherine Twirlers

• MOST PATRIOTIC Entry: CommonWealth

Runner up MOST PATRIOTIC: San Martin Horseman Association

• Best Use of Parade Theme: ReMax Realty Partners

Runner Up Use of Parade Theme: Steel & Fence Supply

• GRAND PRIZE - BEST IN SHOW: SOUTH VALLEY MAKOS!!!!

“LET FREEDOM RING”

All awards were chosen by the professional organization, Northern California Parade Judges Association and the California State Horseman’s Association

Bring

Morgan Hill Freedom Fest now ACCEPTS credit/debit cards. We have found that moving to a touch credit card system is far faster and safer for all of our participants. No more finding ATM’s, just bring your favorite card, touch and enjoy!

Edward Boss Prado Foundation The 501(c)3

Summer Fun 2023

June 7 Snarky Cats

www.SnarkyCats.com

June 14 Sound Decision

www.sound-decision-band.com

June 21 Phil’n the Blanks

www.pntb.net

June 28 Country Cougars

www.countrycougars.com

July 5 No Concert due to Holiday

July 12 Engine Room

www.engineroomband.com

July 19 Kaye Bohler Band

www.kayebohler.com

July 26 Rjae Haas Band

www.rjaehaasband.com

August 2 Identity Problem

www.identityproblem.rocks

August 9 Smokehouse

www.smokehousetheband.com

August 16 Lyin I’s

www.lyinis.com

August 23 Arena Band

www.arenaband.us

August 30 Bent

www.thebentband.com

Emilia and Emilio

Gene, George W., Gary, Madeline, and George E.

George E. and Gene

Dignity Memorial

Grace Hernandez (408) 455-1433

SERVING THE MORGAN HILL AREA SINCE 1989 • OWNER, DAVID A. PERRY

Tuesday, July 4

Register online at www.morganhillfreedomfest.com

Parking Lot (SW Corner Peak and Main Streets)

Freedom Run

Runners take your mark!

7:45 a.m. is the start of the Morgan Hill 4th of July one-mile run for children 11 years and younger. It will be followed by the 5K run/walk starting at 8:10 a.m. This year the course will run twice around a single loop for the 5K circling the large block of Peak, Dunne, Monterey, and Main. It is a very straight forward course most of the terrain is tree-lined and relatively flat, giving serious runners a chance for a personal record (or come close). For others, it’s a time to have fun, pass the challenge of running 3.1 miles, or just get some exercise before watching the parade.

The two runs were designed so parents can run with their children in the one-mile event, peel off just before the finishing line, then go directly to the starting line of the 5K allowing your children to watch as you run for your personal record. What a wonderful way to come together as a family!

If you have ever dreamed of running while the crowds cheer, this is the course to run! The course is identical to the parades. Since people get settled in their vantage points along the sidewalk hours before the parade, the runners will be cheered on by some of the expected 50,000 spectators. Imagine how you’ll feel running to a cheering crowd. The announcing booths will also play music as an additional incentive to keep pushing to the finish line.

These two running events will mark the beginning of the series of events held July 4th that include the car cruise, parade and the end-of-theday fireworks. While the one-mile course route has been designed for children only, parents are welcome to run alongside but may not go through the finish line. All children who participate in the one-mile run will receive a T-shirt, and the top three in each age group will receive a medal. The 5K walkers and runners will take off at

8:10 a.m. If the dog needs some exercise prior to the parade, have a short leash and you won’t be charged extra.

“We’ve had an Olympic runner compete in the 5K, but many people participate for the social aspect.” Race Director, Charles Weston said. “If you don’t think you are going to be the winner of the run, try putting on a costume and you might see yourself in the newspaper, website or next year’s program.”

Both runs are intended to be fun, get you going for a full day’s’ worth of activities, and take pride in being fit enough to participate. The race proceeds go directly to the non-profit, Family Music Fest. The series of seven events during

two days for the Morgan Hill Independence Day experience. Your fee helps pay for the fireworks and the parade!

Registration for the run can be accomplished by registering online at www.runsignup.com. The first 350 registrants get a T-shirt. There is no registration day for the run. In-person registration is available Sunday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at 17500 Depot St., downtown Morgan Hill. See the Freedom Fest website for parking information.

CHARLES WESTON & ALICIA WESTON Freedom Run Co-Chairs

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Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 2023 is The Year of the Food Trucks!

For the first time Freedom Fest has one coordinator for food trucks at all events, Tiffany Smoot has contracted with food trucks for: Family Music Fest with 10 trucks, 4th of July Parade with six trucks, and Fireworks on the Green with 10 trucks. She has booked an amazing array of food trucks this year! From ice cream to BBQ, your family is sure to find something for everyone!

We have Morgan Hill staple Pupusa Lady in addition to several new vendors including Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Fire and Slice with their amazing wood fired pizza and T and T’s Kitchen for burgers, fries and dogs! Gold Rush BBQ will be bringing the flavor with delicious smoked meats and sides and Chick n’ Bro’s will be back again this year serving up their famous Nashville Hot Chicken!

New for this year, we will have food trucks at the parade serving up tasty treats and shaved ice from Snowie and Kona Ice to keep you cool while watching the spectacular Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Parade!

As always, we will have plenty of beverages with beer on tap from Bottomley Distribution and Hard

Cider from TenFiveOne, South County’s first and only hard cider!

We look forward to another amazing year celebrating family and community with you all at the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest!

*Your financial support means the world to us as the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest is entirely all volunteer. Every donation goes straight toward making this amazing event free and accessible to everyone. Donate at www.morganhillfreedomfest.com today!

Tuesday, July 4

Car Cruise 9:30 a.m. Car Show After Parade

Car Cruise ‘n Show

2022 Award Winners

2022 People’s Choices

What is your favorite part of the Fourth of July? Is it the Patriotic Sing, the Family Music Night, the parade, the fireworks, or simply getting together with family and friends? While it’s difficult for some people to choose one favorite, all of these events in “A Star Spangled Celebration” bring our community together to celebrate in a special way.

For many families, it is the car cruise and show. They head downtown early in the morning to get a spot on the sidewalk of Monterey Road well before the start of the parade. They speculate about the cars that will roll by (and hope to see the “dream” car.) Will they see muscle cars that roar so loud that they shake us to the bone? Or will they be amazed by the ingenuity represented by cars of the early 1900s? Will they see a vehicle that looked like it belonged in a museum? Viewers won’t be disappointed in the variety of cars to enjoy

watching before the parade comes through with its floats, equestrians, and bands.

Whether you love rare vehicles that are over 100 years old, trucks that rumble, a car that reminds you of your childhood, or a supercar from the 2000s, this year’s car cruise and show is sure to have something that makes your jaw drop. Over one-hundred unique and captivating cars have preregistered for the car cruise and will be lined up on the northbound lanes of Monterey Road by 8:30 am on July 4. At precisely 9:00am, our car cruise will motor around the parade route beginning at the corner of Monterey Road and Main Ave. When the parade ends, head downtown to see the vehicles up close and personal during the FREE car show. The cars will be lined up on the southbound side of Monterey Rd between Main Ave and Dunne Ave where the public can vote for

2022 Judge’s Choices

the most unique, best paint, coolest wheels, hottest rear end, or the “one you want in your garage”! Awards will be handed out at the Third Street Stage at 1:30pm. Will your favorite be a winner? Join in the fun of this year’s car cruise and show as Morgan Hill shares “A Star Spangled Celebration”!

PEOPLE’S CHOICE - OVERALL WINNER

Joe S. - 1971 Ford Mach 1, Yellow

Glen L. — 1954 Cadillac, Series 62 Convertible Todd G. — 1930 Model A replica Bill M. — 1956 Buick Special, black over red

Mike H. — 1955 Chevy Bel Air, turquoise/ white Ted D. — 1958 Edsel Citation Convertible gold

BEST PAINT Marcello D. — 1967 Chevy Camaro, White COOLEST WHEELS Rob P. — 1971 Custom Ford F250 Pickup

HOTTEST REAR END Shawn F. - ’33 Ford Hot Rod, Factory 5, orange and silver

THE ONE I WANT IN MY GARAGE

David M. - 1928 Ford Model A Special Coupe, rose/beigewhite

MOST UNIQUE

Joe & Victoria C. — 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, silver w/red interior

Cars line up for the cruise before the parade

TOM & JENNIFER EVANS

Car Cruise ‘n Show

Music is a Universal Language

The 2023 Freedom Fest Celebration will feature multiple musical performances by 4 bands, a children’s choir and several soloists over the two-day series of events.

The 2023 Freedom Fest begins at 5 p.m. July 3 with a musical performance by school children at the Patriotic Sing The children have been practicing for weeks on songs of our country. Musical Director Karen Crane has been leading the children for decades, working with generations of Morgan Hill’s youth. The event will also pay tribute to our active military and veterans. The event also presents scholarships to former singers!

Walk downtown from the Patriotic Sing to the Family Music Fest on Monterey Road, this year’s event begins an hour earlier at 6 p.m. There are 3 stages for music this year. The stage at West 5th and Monterey will feature the Country Cougars, who are sponsored by Bubbles and Brew. At the eastern intersection of 3rd and Monterey get ready to move with DJ D-Ram. The Main Stage is at a new location this year, at the corner of 4th and Monterey Road,

Patriotic Singers

The 2023 Freedom Fest Celebration will feature great music throughout the two days of events in Morgan Hill.

Country Cougars

next to the Methodist Church. Perennial favorites the Usual Suspects will be sharing their high energy Classic Rock after the National Anthem performed by local Alison Turner and the Patriotic Singers will perform during the band break.

The National Anthem will be sung at each of the four announcer’s stands prior to the Parade

This year’s performers include: Nathan Casteel, Alison Turner, Nicole Yarbough and Robert Butler. During the parade, a watch for a special float featuring the cast from the musical, The Little Mermaid from BroadwaySouthBay.com. They will be performing some crowd favorites.

The Fireworks on the Green, located at the Sports Center on Condit Road, will kick off with a performance of the National Anthem by Abby Wilcox. The event features two bands this year: Arena and The Hitmen. Arena will open at 5:30 p.m. followed by The Hitmen, a tight-knit group who consistently deliver high energy dance music. The music ends promptly at 9:30 p.m. to allow for the start of the fireworks show.

DJ D-Ram

The Country Cougars are a hot ‘rockin’ country band playing new and classic country and quickly becoming one of Northern California’s favorite bands. They play rodeos, wineries, and festivals and cover artists including Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan as well as country legends Johnny Cash, Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson and others. Their energy gets the crowd on their feet and ready to party! Learn more at www. countrycougars.com.

Arena

2023 Music Schedule

Monday, July 3

*New Start Times

Patriotic Sing

Morgan Hill Community Center

E. Dunne Avenue and Monterey Road

5 - 6 p.m.

(Performed by local students)

Family Music Fest

Downtown Morgan Hill Monterey Road between Main Street and Dunne Avenue

4th Street, Main Stage

*New Location

6:05 p.m.

National Anthem

6:10 – 6:30 p.m.

Alison Turner

6:40 – 7:15 p.m.

The Usual Suspects

Arena performs rock classics and R&B dance music from the 70s to today’s latest hits all presented with strong vocals, excellent instrumental skill, and a dynamic stage presence. Check them out at www.arenaband.us when planning your next event. Arena can provide great music that is the foundation for a great party!

The Usual Suspects

Local children practice for hours in the weeks leading to our Independence Day Celebration and they perform at their Patriotic Sing as well as Family Music Fest and Fireworks on the Green. Check the Freedom Fest social media page to join in the fun next year!

Alison Turner

Singer-songwriter Alison Turner is a rising country music talent originally from South County. Now a Nashville resident, Alison, is a girl on a mission. Moving to music city at the age of 17, she set out to pave a path for herself in the music industry. Turner will complete her studies in commercial voice performance in 2024 at Belmont University, Nashville. Her powerhouse vocals, catchy melodies, and love for Jesus and country music can be seen through her recent releases and her dazzling stage presence. Welcome back to the Main Stage, Alison Turner!

DJ D-Ram is a Professional DJ and owner of Custom DJ Entertainment Company. With many years of Music and DJ experience, D-Ram started DJing in Bay Area Clubs when he was just 13 years old. And continues to DJ parties and festivals up and down the west coast. Playing a variety of music to dance to and enjoy.

The Usual Suspects have performed at a Morgan Hill 4th of July Fireworks Show or Family Music Fest in 25 of the past 27 years! They will be rocking the Main Stage with their repertoire of high-energy Classic Rock music that will get you on your feet. Visit to learn more: www.usualsuspectsrock.com.

The Hit Men

Relive rock’s greatest hits with The Hit Men— the real guys who performed with legendary artists including members of Foreigner, Journey, Styx, Steely Dan, Cheap Trick, 3 Dog Night, Cream, and The Who. In their exciting multi-media concert, The Hit Men celebrate their associations with these mega-stars, share their first-hand experiences as eyewitnesses to rock history!

7:15 – 7:30 p.m.

Children’s Patriotic Singers

7:30 – 10 p.m.

The Usual Suspects

5th Street Stage

6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

The Country Cougars

3rd Street Stage

*New Location

6:30 - 10 p.m.

DJ D-Ram

July 4th

Fireworks on the Green Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center

Condit Road between E. Dunne and Tennant avenues

5:30 – 7 p.m.

Arena

7:30 - 8 p.m.

Karen Crane & The Patriotic Singers

8 - 9:30 p.m.

The Hit Men

the Announced July 3rd at Patriotic Sing.

Teachers plant the seeds of knowledge that last forever!

Jane Reed Goularte Memorial Scholarship

the Awarded to former Patriotic Sing participants who community while continuing their serve studies.

This Could Not Happen Without The Support of Our Volunteers

This program would not be possible without the volunteer photographers who work relentlessly to capture the spirit of Morgan Hill Freedom Fest. For two days. They clock in 22 hours of time over the 30 hours that encompasses our special series of events. A special thank you to John Gibson, Doug Rogers, Rick Rasmussen, Sue Brazelton and the members of the Morgan Hill Photography Club for allowing their photos to be used by Morgan Hill Freedom Fest in the program as well as on the website. To see more

photographs, go to www.morganhillfreedomfest.com choose an event and scroll down to the bottom of each event page to see the thousands of photographs these dedicated volunteers have shared with our community. If you are interested in photographing for Freedom Fest, please sign up as a volunteer on the Freedom Fest website. All volunteers must take the safety training and receive shirts and credentials.

A Special Thanks to Our Photographers Who Make This Program Possible

his program would not be possible without the volunteer photographers who work relentlessly to capture the spirit of Morgan Hill Freedom Fest. For two days. They clock in 22 hours of time over the 30 hours that encompasses our special series of events. A special thank you to John Gibson, Doug Rogers, Rick Rasmussen, Sue Brazelton and the members of the Morgan Hill Photography Club for allowing their photos to be used by Morgan Hill Freedom Fest in the

Sweet Treats at the End of Parade

program as well as on the website. To see more photographs, go to www. morganhillfreedomfest.com choose an event and scroll down to the bottom of each event page to see the thousands of photographs these dedicated volunteers have shared with our community. If you are interested in photographing for Freedom Fest, please sign up as a volunteer on the Freedom Fest website. All volunteers must take the safety training and receive shirts and credentials.

For many years the July 4th parade here in Morgan Hill was always looking for a grand finale entry to culminate the parade. One of our team members came up with the suggestion in 2021 that instead of going big, let’s go small, something sweet and personal. Thus, the popsicle tradition was born. It has not been without its share of hiccups including 2022 when the chiller died on the freezer truck the day before, but we adapt and come up with better plans.

This year the tradition will continue, although this time with working freezers (hopefully). We hope all kids (and kids at heart) enjoy the sweet frozen treat that comes at the end of the parade. As always PLEASE do not approach the vehicle, volunteers will bring the treats to you.

Doug Rogers

John Gibson

CHRISTINA SMITH Family Music Fest

Family Music Fest

Monday, July 3rd

6 - 10 p.m. Downtown Morgan Hill on Monterey Road between Main and Dunne avenues

Main Stage *New Location (W. 4th Street at Monterey Road)

6 – 6:05 p.m.

VFW Honor Color Guard

Pledge of Allegiance

6:05 – 6:10 p.m.

National Anthem (Alison Turner)

6:10 – 6:30 p.m.

Alison Turner

6:40 – 7:15 p.m.

The Usual Suspects

7:15 – 7:30 p.m.

Patriotic Singers

7:30 to 10 p.m.

The Usual Suspects

3rd Street Stage * New Location (E. Third Street & Monterey Road)

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

DJ & Dance with D-RAM

Fifth Street Stage * New Location

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

The Country Cougars

For more than 27 years, the Family Music Fest has been a time for neighbors and friends to come together and kick-off the July 4 celebration as a community. With music, food, drinks, and kids’ play areas all located in the heart of beautiful downtown it is the perfect place to put work aside and enjoy.

This year the event starts at 6 p.m. directly after the Patriotic Sing, held at Morgan Hill’s Downtown Amphitheater at 5 p.m., which marks the beginning of Morgan Hill’s 4th of July celebrations. We have shifted everything an hour earlier as many of you shared that it is more convenient for families. As always there will be a fun-filled evening of dancing at three stages, food from our local restaurants and food trucks and of course drinks.

This year’s Family Music Fest has a new leader, Christina Smith, and she has worked hard to bring “Family” to the forefront of Family Music Fest. Last year Christina introduced our children’s section, and she is excited to share the children’s area is growing by leaps (in jump houses) and bounds! Face painting, meet & greets with autographs for Morgan Hill’s first professional sports team, the Bay Area Panthers, chalk art, games, as well as a large, inflated obstacle course for older kids and jump house for younger kids, are all part of the festivities. As always, the kid’s and adult areas are all free of charge.

Family Music Fest begins at 6 p.m. (Please note: an hour earlier than prior years) with a salute to our veterans from the VFW Post 6309, American Legion 217 Honor Color Guard of Gilroy, organized by Al Alciati. The Color Guard troop from Gilroy will lead us in the national anthem on the (NEW LOCATION) MAIN STAGE at East 4th Street and Monterey Road next to the Methodist Church. Joining us this year to sing the National Anthem is Nashville singer Alison Turner. Karen Crane’s Patriotic Singers will also return for a cameo appearance at 7:15 p.m. The 4th Street Main Stage will feature “The Usual Suspects,” a Freedom Fest favorite. Joining Family Music Fest for the first time is DJ D-Ram who will be mixing it up on East 3rd Street and Monterey Road. And back by very popular demand The Country Cougars will be on the 5th Street

stage, sponsored by Bubbles and Brew.

Please help support all the Freedom Fest events by purchasing beer, wine or water at our new beverage pavilion located between 3rd and 4th streets. Wine has been donated by some of our wonderful local wineries including Guglielmo Winery, our primary wine sponsor, along with Calerrain, Castillo’s Hillside Shire, Martin Ranch, and Verde Vineyards. We will also be featuring cider by locals TenFiveOne Cider Company. The beer and wine sales are one of the limited fundraising opportunities to support the Freedom Fest events so please consider having a drink or support the event by donating directly. Please no outside alcohol — it is a violation of our ABC license and bringing it to the event puts our liquor license and the events in jeopardy!

The VIP Pavilion will be located on West 3rd Street, near Ladera Grill. The VIP Pavilion is one way we thank our sponsors for donating $1,500 or more and is catered by Sal Calisi of Odeum Restaurant located on Depot Street. We will be selling tickets to the Pavilion for the first time this year, $500 for 4 tickets. Go to the website for more information, only 40 tickets will be sold in this manner. What a great way to donate to Freedom Fest while enjoying Odeum’s pasta as well as wine and beer. Another first, attendees will be able to choose from a variety of wines donated to the event. The coffee and dessert are provided by Renee Carrillo at GVA Café located at the corner of Second and Monterey. Stop by GVA for one of their refreshing gelatos!

Due to popular demand, we have increased our food trucks this year. A big special thanks to Tiffany Smoot, our food vendor chairperson, for making sure we don’t go hungry. We will have more than nine trucks including: La Patrona MX, Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Fire and Slice, T & T, Chick N Bros, Snowie, Pupusa Lady, Plin Plin Ice Cream, Gold Rush BBQ and Backroad Beverages.

Pets are discouraged at the Family Music Festit can be crowded with loud music which may make them uncomfortable.

Freedom Fest Hands out Scholarships to Five Deserving Students

For the third year, we are proud to present the annual Jane Reed Goularte Memorial Scholarship to deserving youngsters who have been members of our Patriotic Sing Chorus Our recipients also participate in community service and reflect Jane’s love for her community.

Jane Reed Goularte attended and graduated from Live Oak High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Anthony Goularte, in 1977 and earned

her teaching credential at San Jose State University. She volunteered in our community as a Girl Scout Leader, at St. Catherine’s Church with their ReachOut Program, Toys for Tots, and the annual Holiday Food Drive. She had a great love for children and young people. Her legacy includes daughter Taylor, Taylor’s husband Kyle, and their children. Jane passed away December 25, 2018. In 2021, the Jane Reed Goularte Scholarships were estab -

Those Unable to Attend July 4 Events Can watch Them Streaming Online

lished to honor her memory. Our student recipients demonstrate Jane’s passion to serve our community and demonstrate kindness.

The 2023 winners will be announced at our Freedom Fest Patriotic Sing on July 3. Whomever it will be will honor Jane’s passion to serve and carry her memory forward with love and respect.

Prior year’s winners include:

For many of us attending July 4 entails bringing chairs or blankets and sitting at the curb of downtown streets to watch classic cars and our parade. Perhaps it means sitting on the lawn and watching the kids sing patriotic songs at our outdoor amphitheater. But there are those in our community who may not be able to come out for either mobility limitations or due to health issues. Yet July 4 is for EVERYONE in this country. This is why we are thrilled to con-

tinue our relatively new tradition of live streaming our Patriotic Sing, Classic Car Cruise and Parade live on YouTube and Facebook. If you can’t come out in-person you can still be a part of this community’s celebration from your home, your campground, or hospital bed.

We were stunned when for the past couple of years, we have been seeing more than 15,000 viewers watch these events either live or in the weeks following.

For those singing, marching or riding in these events, make sure you waive knowing you are not just waving to those in-person but also to those in our community who are watching from afar. For those who want to watch, simply visit our website and click the links on the home page (MorganHillFreedomFest.com) or follow us on Facebook (Morgan Hill Freedom Fest) and you will be notified of a live event taking place. Happy Fourth of July!

2021 — Angeline Madriaga - Longtime National Anthem Singer for the Patriotic Sing. Attending San Diego State.

2021 — Grant Halliday – Graduated from Yale. Pursuing his Doctorate. 2022 — Kaile Itow - Valley Christian High School. Member the Patriotic Singers since she was 2 years old.

2022 — Kyle Strenfel - Longtime soloist for the Patriotic Sing. Active in Children’s Musical Theater.

2021 — Mika Itow – Sound Technician. Pursuing her Masters at the University of Arizona

How You Can Help

For the 148th consecutive year, Morgan Hill Freedom Fest is proud to organize our 4th of July celebration! Our two-day, free-to-the-public celebration includes the Essay Contest, Children’s Patriotic Sing, Family Music Fest, Freedom Run, Parade, Car Cruise, and culminates with the spectacular concert and Fireworks on the Green.

It costs about $280,000 in dollars and in-kind donations and takes more than 500 volunteers each year to organize and produce the seven events for our 4th of July celebration. Our costs have risen significantly this year, and our donations have decreased as many business sponsors have reduced their donations. We need YOUR help. Please consider DONATING to support this event. All donations of $100 or more will get a free 2023 commemorative pin.

We ask for your assistance in any way possible, with donations of time, money, or in-kind donations.

The people of Morgan Hill have been very generous in the past and we thank your for your continued support. Please help us continue our patriotic Morgan Hill 4th tradition by taking a moment to send your contribution today. Any and all donations are welcome.

Thank you, and see you at the celebration!

Independence Day Celebrations Inc.

501c(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID # 45-0970609

You can make your donation to “Independence Day Celebrations” by mailing a check or visiting our website www.morganhillfreedomfest.com/donate. Make checks payable to: Independence Day Celebrations

Mail to: IDC Donations, P.O. Box 1776, Morgan Hill, CA 95038 mhfreedomfest.com

Fireworks on the Green

Welcome to 2023 Fireworks on the Green! When we discuss our annual show with friends and neighbors, it’s heartwarming to hear what Fireworks on the Green means to them. Whether they watch at the Outdoor Sports Center, from home, nearby parks or parking lots, everyone seems to enjoy the show. This year is shaping up to be even better than last year’s festival and show as we have a Star-Spangled Celebration!

Gates open at 3 p.m. for a full day of food, fun and music. We are excited to have three acts in our line-up this year. The Hitmen will be joining Arena and our beloved Patriotic Singers! The show begins at 5:30 p.m. and goes through until the fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. That’s more than three hours of live music!

We open with Arena performing arena rock classics and R&B dance music from the ‘70s to today’s latest hits — older songs that are already classics and new ones that will be — all presented with extremely strong vocals, excellent instrumental skills and dynamic stage presence.

Following Arena, we will conduct our annual, Gizdich Ranch pie eating contest. If you have someone in your group that would like to gorge themselves by trying to beat 11 others eating a pie without the aid of their hands then be one of the first 12 people to sign up for the contest at our Independence Day Celebrations, Inc. headquarters table.

Of course, no Fireworks on the Green festival and show would be complete without the Patriotic Singers. Karen Crane and the Patriotic Singers make a return appearance to give everyone a chance to catch a glimpse of the wonderful program they performed the night before, kicking off our Freedom Fest celebration.

Then, The Hitmen will take the stage. They’re

funky, soulful and will leave you in a cold sweat. They have been performing together for more than 20 years and their tight-knit group consistently delivers high-energy dance music to audiences at public and private functions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Finally, we will finish off the evening with our fireworks display . . HOORAY!! The fireworks are anticipated to begin about 9:30 p.m. Performed to a synchronized musical score, our fireworks tribute boasts the largest land-based display in California to offer a myriad of colors and shapes for us all to “ooh” and “ah” over. Sitting on a blanket on the green and looking up to the night sky to see hundreds of explosions light up the night in honor of our country is the quintessential Fourth of July experience. One not to miss!

We are blessed with the long-running expertise of Fireworks America as they deliver their 23rd consecutive show for Freedom Fest. Fireworks America is run by Master Pyrotechnician Jim Acker, a resident of San Martin, who together with his family and staff of pyrotechnicians, spend all day July 3 setting up. A former firefighter, Jim became interested in pyrotechnics in the eighties after conducting a safety inspection of a fireworks show. We are fortunate to have Jim be part of our event and are grateful for his team’s efforts. Most are working professionals who spend their July 4 holiday putting on our show.

Fireworks on the Green takes place at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center at 16500 Condit Road, located between Tennant and East Dunne avenues. Gates will open at 3 p.m. for you to choose your favorite spot on the green to enjoy the fun. Entry is free. Food trucks, beer, hard cider and wine will be available for purchase on site, so there’s no need for you to worry about bringing a picnic basket. (Any picnic baskets or coolers that

are brought on site will be subject to inspection for alcoholic beverages as they are not allowed. Any outside alcohol will not be confiscated but it will need to be returned to your vehicle or thrown away.) Please do not bring any glass bottles of any kind onto the premises. They create a safety hazard and will be removed by security and Morgan Hill police. No tailgating or barbecues are allowed. Pets are NOT permitted at this event. Parking is $15 ($10 if purchased on our website in advance). The parking fee benefits the event and our ongoing effort to improve next year’s event. We are also pleased to announce the addition of more than 500 parking spots just south of the show. Please note that all roads into the area are closed at 9 p.m. and will not open again until after the show. Traffic plans have been refined further this year to ease the departure from the facility. Also, neighboring streets will be closed part or all day. These streets include Condit, San Pedro, Murphy, Barrett, Diana, E. Dunne and Tennant. After the show, traffic will be diverted down specific routes to allow for the fastest possible egress.

Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Fireworks on the Green is brought to you at no charge; not only for attendees, but for countless others who watch from surrounding areas. As you enjoy the show, please consider contributing to our donation boxes. You can also donate directly at www.morganhillfreedomfest.com.

Thank you for your support and enjoy the show!

BRUCE WILLIAMS

Fireworks Chair

Tuesday, July 4 Morgan Hill Outdoor Sport Center Gates Open at 3 p.m. Entertainment 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at Dark

Happy Independence Day Morgan Hill !

from the Design Factory Graphics team • 408.686.0780

Get a tasty treat to enjoy during the car cruise and parade while you’re supporting local eateries. If you can think of ways to make our 7 events over two days better, please join us! We are

Another change we are making is moving to a cashless system. Why? We have found that moving to a touch credit card system is far faster and safer for all of our participants! No more finding ATMs, just bring your favorite credit card, touch and drink! The move to cashless, includes the $10 parking fee for the Fireworks on the Green event July 4th. Please purchase your parking passes in advance at http://www.morganhillfreedomfest.com

Renee

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Evans, Car Cruise Show Co-Chairs & Donna Cowan, Parade Announcers Chair