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Celebrating the Many Faces of America Morgan Hill is such a great place to live! The July 4th Parade is a terrific example of how this community comes together. On July 4, 2008 we were astounded to find out that over 50,000 spectators lined the streets to celebrate our Country’s Independence – and to watch as close to 200 units (made up of over 2,500 participants) marched by. Here’s just a small sampling of the fantastic entries in the 2008 July 4th parade. Enjoy !! |
The 2008 July 4th Parade got under way with the Liberty Parade Cruise as the first unit of the Parade. Now in it’s third year the Cruise draws a variety of vintage cars, classics, and hotrods from 1975 and older. This 1927 Ford hotrod was shined and decorated for the festivities as it left for the parade route.
Not far behind was a 1951 Buick Super Riviera.
The Sobrato High School "Swing" Band’s motto is "It's All in the Swing". And you should have heard them – because they definitely have the Swing”.
Claudio Arroyo, who is dressed in an authentic Mexican Charro outfit, is riding Favorito, a beautiful Andelusian stallion.
The United Academy of Martial Arts has participated in the Morgan Hill July Fourth Parade for years. It’s great to see so many of their students of all ages.
We were very honored to have the 149th CA Air National Guard presenting the colors in the Parade. All along the parade route spectators stood and applauded as they passed by.
Dan Delwiche is driving his restored 1948 Farmall tractor and is pulling a 1915 Hoover potato planting machine.
South Valley Civic Theatre built this terrific float! They also had several costumed actors walking along side. It was fun for the spectators to try to guess how many shows were represented.
For many Elvis has left the building, but as you can see Elvis was definitely in the 2008 Fourth of July Parade
Congratulations to this year’s State Horsemen's Association Royalty group, 2008 Jr. Miss, Tula Urban, Sr, Ambassador Sean Daly, Sr. Miss Zoe Williams, Little Miss Arielle Spotswood, and Region 6 Sr. Miss Jonna Condos
This year the City Council members decided to ride their bikes on the 1.6 mile parade route. It was an instant crowd pleaser! Here’s Marby Lee, Larry Carr, and Greg Sellers.
KBAY radio’s morning show hosts, Sam Van Zandt and Lissa Kreisler have been regulars in the parade for several years. It’s pretty obvious that they’re having a great time! Welcome Back!
The South Bay Blue Star Moms are joined this year by several of their daughters and sons in the military. Many are just returning from a tour of duty in Iran and Iraq.
All of the kids on the Burnett School float were having a terrific time! They sure enjoyed waving to the crowds of 50,000 plus!!
In addition to their award winning students, Champions Academy brought a troupe of Chinese Lion dancers to the parade. Many spectators had never seen anything like them!
The Christmas Ship is loved by everyone no matter what time of year it is. It is a community service project of the Boy Scout Troop 799 and the Kiwanis.
The miniature donkeys from the Jury Ranchette are so cute! Everyone really enjoyed seeing them.
This is such an ingenious float! It’s a take-off on Mount Rushmore! Since All About Critters is a professional pet sitting company they created their version of the famous landmark.
The “little” red wagon from BookSmart sure was a hit! With the toy soldiers standing guard and Spot the Dog waving at all the children it was a hit!
Everyone always looks forward to the WERC (Wildlife Education Rehabilitation Center) Float and the animals they bring.
These members of the Marine Corps League, Detachment League #1122 received standing ovations all along the parade route for their part in keeping America free.
Here’s a man that needs no introduction – it’s Ronald McDonald!!
This sharp looking band is the Oak Grove High School Marching Band. We look forward to them coming every year.
Congratulations to all of this year’s essay winners, Alyssa Meritt, Madison Burton, Jeremy Sarmiento, Eric Robison, Lauren Akin, Nikhil Batra, Chase Weirshauser, and Chris McHenry.
These airplanes look so real! Can you believe that they are models from the Santa Clara County Model Aircraft Skypark?
The City of Morgan Hill's Environmental Programs Department put in this clever entry encouraging recycling.
This is the Folklorico Dance Group from St. Catherine’s Church. The spectators enjoyed their performance all along the Parade route.
Here’s just of a few of the 120 happy and dedicated Parade Marshals that work to bring you a safe and happy Fourth of July.
Did you know that over 300 volunteers are involved in producing all of the Morgan Hill July 4th events?
If you'd like to be a volunteer for the parade
or any of the other ten events,
call 779-1776 for more information.
I know I said this last year, and the year before that, and for every year that we’ve been volunteer chairs of the Parade, but it’s really true and needs to be said again and again. Bob and I extend a big Thank You to all of the Volunteers who helped make the Parade a safe, sane, and memorable event. We'd also like to thank all of the participants (You are the Best!). And the spectators too! Thank you, too, to the many folks and sponsors who have made donations from small to large. You've also helped make not just the Parade but all of the Independence Day Inc. events possible.
Isn't Morgan Hill a great place to live! Events such as the July 4th celebrations reinforce those thoughts and make a person proud to be a part of this community that we call home. See you at the 2009 July 4th Parade !
If you’d like to see more pictures from past Parades