From left, Cheryl Heslington, Kieran Erwin, 4, and his mom Alix McKee, both from Anchorage, Alaska, Shayla Tomasello, 12, and Mason Heslington, 5, hold up signs hoping to get the parade participants to honk their horns along Main Avenue Sunday.
Joe Martinez walks down Peak Avenue with his one-year-old whippet Soarky as Maryann Lima walks her six-year-old border collie/Labrador mix Kimmy with Lucky Paws, a group supporting adopting rescue animals, in the parade Sunday.
The hometown parade that is so popular some townies tie their lawn chairs to street signs and trees three days in advance, was again a success Sunday. But the best was to come after the 116th annual Independence Day Incorporated Fourth of July parade. The fireworks show was the crescendo to the weekend that captivated an estimated 25,000 people in Community Park and packed nearby parking lots with one of the few free and legal firework displays in the region.
"It was the biggest crowd we ever had. Having the vendors back for food and souvenirs was great. They did wonderful business," IDI president Brigitte Heiser said Monday. At noon, Heiser and other IDI volunteers had just finished clearing the trash at Community Park. Though a bit worn down, she said the 250 IDI volunteers enjoyed the packed weekend.
"We had a wonderful time. Morgan Hill is an amazing city and we are very happy and blessed to be able to do this every year," she said.
The parade drew about 40,000 visitors and Heiser said many from Monterey and Napa counties made the drive to watch the parade or fireworks show. With 181 parade entries, a large menu of patriotic songs and celebration of American culture packed into one afternoon, the parade drew generations of families who have made attending a time-honored tradition.
"Going to parades is kind of our thing. It's our family function. We love it," said Kendra Hoeft of Gilroy. At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, she and a cluster of six children from her family sat on blankets under the glare of the sun waiting for the 11 a.m. start. They were some of the more enthusiastic front-row watchers on Monterey Road shaking tiny American flags and blowing whistles.
The parade has graced downtown Morgan Hill since 1894 with a record-breaking crowd of 45,000 people attending last year's version. This year, IDI added a classic car show on the corner of East Main Avenue and Monterey Road after the parade and also new was a family bike race held Saturday morning.
Bob and Maureen Hunt, both chairs of the IDI parade committee, were thrilled to see so many people attend and equally proud that IDI is self-sufficient - the city of Morgan Hill doesn't spend any money on the Fourth of July celebrations.
"Almost every city had to stop their firework shows," Maureen said. And IDI does it without any paid employees, Bob added. The parade budget is about $21,000 with $9,760 donated from individuals this year. Much more of the necessary funding comes from local businesses, such as Commonwealth Central Credit Union that donated $2,500.
Similar to many with prime parade real estate, who have "their spot" picked out every year, was Karen Freeze-Gill, a 1982 Live Oak graduate. She has attended the parade every year since she was a young girl and has been both an onlooker and participant as a driver of a car in the parade years ago. Now, she brings her teenage son and husband along to watch.
"Morgan Hill has a sense of magic. There's nothing like this hometown parade," Freeze-Gill said. "You can watch and count all of the alumni you know in town that are in the parade. It's really wonderful."
The parade route began on Fourth Street turned north onto Monterey Road then west on East Main Avenue before turning back south then finishing at Dunne Avenue. The warmth of 85-degrees and little wind kept Monterey Road's shaded streets crowded - in some places eight rows deep onto the tree-lined median. The parade started with the marching in of the American, California and Air Force flags by four members of the Air National Guard. They were met with a standing ovation by many in the crowd.
Organizations from Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Jose kept the parade moving from Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops to the Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen in a Ford Mustang convertible to local politicians such as Mayor Steve Tate and Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage to the 4-H clubs in the area. The marching bands of Ann Sobrato and Live Oak high schools provided the loudest variation of American anthems of the morning.
Eleven horse units entertained children sitting on the sidewalk, along with six marching bands, three military color guard units and 14 floats.
Betty Stiers sat with her three great-grandchildren on East Main Street - the same spot she's occupied for at least 20 years, she said.
"We've always had fun. It's good for the kids to give them a taste of what it means to be an American and teach them to love their country," Stiers said. She asked her great-grandson Cyriss Anderson, 9, how many years he had watched the parade.
"All of them," he responded matter-of-factly. His sister Charlotte, 3, and older brother Corban, 11, slurped on orange popsicles to beat the heat.
"We like the music and we always get free candy and treats," Corban said.
For Devina Pooni, 22, it was July 4, 2000 that truly made its impression.
It was her family's first year living in their home on East Main Street next door to Chase bank.
That morning the Poonis woke up to the crashing of cymbals. The parade came as a sweet surprise.
"This is the epitome of how Morgan Hill does things - big and with a bang. We're a small community but we do things big. And with that bang," Pooni said.
Her father and mother were handing out bottles of water to the visitors on the sidewalk in front of their home. Each year they buy two extra cases to pass out - it's their donation to the parade, Pooni said. They're so hospitable that often they allow strangers to use the home bathroom and throw away trash in their bins.
"We want to make it comfortable for our guests that sit out here. We've developed a friendship with people that sit in the same spot every year. 'We'll see you next Fourth of July,' " Pooni said.
Every Fourth of July the IDI raises the funds to throw its annual parade and festivities. Saturday evening a group of 150 children sang America's songs at Britton Middle School for the 21st annual Patriotic Sing and afterward the street dance exhausted visitors with music and drink booths at 7 p.m.
After the 11 a.m. parade the IDI hosted a classic car show on the corner of Monterey Road and East Main Avenue followed by more music and food at Community Park before the firework show went off at dark Sunday.
No arrests associated with the parade or fireworks show were made Sunday, said Cpl. Michael Brookman of the Morgan Hill Police Department. A few arrests were made for DUIs and smaller incidents but none were as noteworthy as a "customer who set off a bunch of fireworks in front of cops," Brookman said. He was cited.
To purchase any of our videos, contact the Gilroy Dispatch at (408)842-6400.
Lindsay Bryant Lindsay Bryant is a reporter for South Valley Newspapers.
POST A COMMENT
If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate.
Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.
Gilroy Garlic Festival: City vs. City Challenge
