Community : Freedom Fest
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT : Fireworks light the sky on Sunday , July 4 2021 - Morgan Hill Sports Center . Full Throtle Garage parade float . Santa Clara County Horsemans Association . Live Oak High School Marching Band . VFW Post 6309 Color Guard members Jessie Sanchez and Gabe Perez . Jeff Dixon , President Emeritus - 2021 Freedom Fest
learning patriotic songs , attending four rehearsals , and singing four different times at four different locations during the two-day Festival . Karen Crane chairs the event , as she has for thirty-two years . “ It ’ s very rewarding to know that our singers know the words to our traditional patriotic songs ,” she said . The Patriotic Sing now includes an essay contest , with awards presented at the Sing , and a partnership with the South Bay Blue Star Moms . “ At each rehearsal , we collect donations for our troops , and at the festival , we ask kids , parents , and the audience to write encouraging notes to our deployed troops ,” she said . “ I am forever grateful for the support I need to teach the songs of our country . Freedom Fest is magical .”
The Freedom Fest 5K run / walk and one-mile children ’ s run dates to 1998 and is the only event that generates income , one-hundred percent of which goes back into the Festival . Charles Weston , a lifelong runner with over one hundred marathons to his credit , marks his 20th year as chair of the road race . “ There is a lot of organizing for several months prior to the event : city permits , volunteers , marketing to runners , timing , and it has to come together without a fault ,” he said . Charles and co-chair Alicia Carlson , his daughter , have to wrangle 700 anxious participants on Fourth of July morning between setup at 6 AM and cleanup by 10 AM to clear the way for the approaching parade . “ As a runner ,” Charles said , “ I ’ m able to give back to the running community .”
Jeff Dixon , a past president and former fireworks chair , was “ impressed by the dedication and success of the IDI team and
the community spirit of the Morgan Hill residents ,” he said . “ I worked in logistics , materials management , and national program management . I felt I would be a good fit with my event planning experience .” Jeff can see the 30,000-foot view and zoom-in to the 3-foot , both the scope and the details . The biggest reward , he said , “ is the pleasure we bring to our neighbors and families , the smiles of joy I see on the kids ’ faces , and the pride of my fellow residents living in a special and unique place . . . and riding in a cool car during the parade .”
“ There is a particular science to putting on a parade ,” Stein said . “ It ’ s divided into thirds ; each third needs highlights or anchors : an exciting float or act . Don ’ t put horses near bands or bands near other bands .” Approximately 110 entries , including 12 equestrian , 15 bands , and 30 floats are written on color-coded index cards and sorted into perfect order . The Freedom Fest puts on the quintessential hometown parade . It entertains 60,000 spectators and features kids , friends , neighbors , local businesses , dignitaries , guests , and organizations . In short , it reflects America . Stein ’ s biggest reward came in 2019 : “ I was riding in the last float with my son . It was a special moment for a brand new dad .”
The IDC board , chairs , assistants , the hundreds of volunteers , sponsors , vendors , police , fire , runners , and participants of the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest reap simple rewards : kid ’ s smiles , listening to bands , giving back , a red T-shirt , a ride in the parade , and witnessing the pride in our country . They too are unsung heroes . Let ’ s honor them .
Images provided by Independence Day Celebrations ( IDC ) and Matthew Stein
14 SUMMER 2021 gmhTODAY Magazine gmhtoday . com