Freedom Fest Freedom Fest 2017 | Page 26

Parade A look back at the 2016 Independence Day Parade “AMERICA, MY HOME SWEET HOME” T As the Church bells ring out at the United Methodist Church on Monterey Road, the 2016 Morgan Hill Freedom Fest July 4th Parade kicks off amid cheers and applause. he year 2016 marked Morgan Hill’s 110th year as a city, and what better way to celebrate that than with the year’s Freedom Fest Parade theme, “America, My Home Sweet Home.” The 2016 Morgan Hill Freedom Fest July 4th Parade was great! Entries, from bands to floats and walking groups were outstanding. In addition to the ten bands, from middle school to community symphonic bands, there were eleven equestrian units, fifteen miscellaneous entries, twenty-three floats, and fourteen community organizations participating. In the float division there were so many creative interpretations of the 2016 theme, “American, My Home Sweet Home” That the professional judges had a difficult time choosing the winners! Participants in the Freedom Fest July 4th Parade are Absolutely the Best paraders ever! We’d like to send out a huge Thank You to all of the Volunteers who helped make the Parade a safe, sane, and outstanding event. And Thank You, as well to the many folks who have made donations from small to large and to our sponsors, especially CommonWealth Central Credit Union, the “Premier Sponsor” of the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 4th of July Parade. You’ve helped make not just the Parade, but all of the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest events possible. Isn’t Morgan Hill a great place to live! Events such as these July 4th celebrations make me proud to be a part of this community that we call home. See you at the 2017 July 4th Parade. Holding a red tail hawk is one of the many Wild Life Rehabilitation Center (WERC) volunteers. WERC cares for native songbirds, birds of prey, native non-venomous reptiles, bobcats and opossum. H MAUREEN HUNT Leading the 1st Place Community Organization winning entry, the Blue Star Moms, is the U.S. Army Color Guard. Formed in 2004, South Bay Blue Star Moms is affiliated with Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., which began during WWII and is officially chartered by Congress. H Parade Chair BOB HUNT Parade Chair All awards were chosen by the professional organization, Northern California Parade Judges Association. 24 America’s NATIONAL PARKS H Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 2017