To say 2020 parade was untraditional would be an understatement . For 145 continuous years the city of Morgan Hill has been hosting a 4th of July parade and there was no way we were going to miss a year . Once we knew we would not be able to have a traditional parade , the parade team pivoted and went back to the drawing board . What came out was better than we ever could have imagined .
First the team went to horse ranches from Gilroy to San Jose to record equestrian units in their home fi eld . While most can only bring a limited set of their groups to a traditional parade , this year we were honored to have the entire ensemble ! We watched unique equestrian performances unlike what can be presented on a parade route ! Then our musical groups got into the act , either recording outside in front of city hall or individually recording each instrument to be compiled into a single performance with digital magic . The time and effort it took to align 30 + musicians into a single track must have been incredible , but the result was a virtual performance that was worthy of their name and reputations . And then , our fl oats and dignitaries rolled into the show . Showing up to an undisclosed location ( in front of city hall ) at an undisclosed time , we quickly staged a private parade that was taped from 5 different angles .
Put this together with two of our top announcers and we had a virtual parade that was viewed over 20,000 times on YouTube and Facebook . To the over 300 people and the countless volunteers on our committee that participated in that virtual parade in 2020 , we thank you and are humbled by what you did for our fi rst pandemic virtual parade .
Now we cast our eyes to 2021 , and a return to an in-person celebration . We are thrilled to bring our parade back to the heart of Morgan Hill for all of you to enjoy in-person . One change from 2019 , we are no longer staging the parade on Depot which means the parking garage and all street parking on 1st-5th street is open and available . This does mean the parade will START on Main St , go to Peak Ave , down Dunne Ave and then end on the northbound direction of Monterey .
Put your chairs out early ( except on Monterey Road ) and come join us as we have our Honor our Heroes 2021 July 4th Parade kicking off at 10am .
HONORING OUR HEROES Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 2021 33