With Fourth of July weekend celebrations blasting off today, we want to help you whoop it up. Whether you find yourself in South County or if you’re spending the weekend in Hollister, you’ll find everything you need to know about holiday weekend events right here.
HOLLISTER
The annual Hollister Motorcycle Rally is scheduled for July 4-6 in downtown Hollister. It will feature motorcycles lined on the main drag, beer gardens, bands on stages and an array of vendors. For more information, visit thehollisterrally.com.
Top Hatters Poker Run: The 67th annual Top Hatters Independence Run is set for July 5. It includes a meal, run pin, support sticker and $300 High Hand. All bikes are welcome. Check-in is 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit tophatters-mc.com or call (831) 801-6737.
Pancake biker breakfast: The Hollister United Methodist Church at Fifth and Monterey streets presents its all-you-can-eat breakfast for the Hollister Rally motorcycle event. It is set for July 4, 5 and 6 at the church and includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, orange juice and coffee. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Take out is available. For information, call (831) 637-4240.
Bike Blessing: The 2014 Biker Blessing will be held July 5 at Abundant Life Foursquare Church, 790 Bolsa Road.
Fireworks display: Hollister’s annual fireworks celebration will take place at dusk above Marguerite Maze Middle School, 900 Meridian St., Hollister.
MORGAN HILL
The Morgan Hill Freedom Fest is in full swing.
Celebrate Independence Day starting with the Freedom Run Friday, July 4. The Freedom Run marks the beginning of a series of Freedom Fest events, including the parade and the annual Fireworks On The Green. Children 11 years and younger will kick off the event with the one-mile run beginning at 7:45 a.m., followed by those who want to walk the 5K at 8 a.m. and then the 5K runners at 8:15 a.m. Registration begins at 6:45 a.m. at P.A. Walsh School, 353 W. Main Ave.
Car Cruise ‘n Show: Beginning at 9:30 a.m., just prior to the start of the parade, 100 classic, hot rod, muscle and original pre-1984 cars will cruise the parade route. All cars are owned and driven by local residents. The cars will cruise to the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center where they will be staged on grass until at least 2:30 p.m. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.
Annual parade: With the 2014 parade theme “Destination America,” you’re guaranteed to see some fantastic entries in the official Santa Clara County Fourth of July parade. More than 50,000 spectators are anticipated, watching more than 2,500 participants in the parading units, which include marching bands, floats, performance groups and specialty entries. The parade begins on Monterey Road, to Main Avenue, and then heads south on Dunne Avenue, ending by the Community Playhouse on Monterey Road.
Look up in the sky: The annual Fireworks On The Green will be held at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center. The venue will open to the public after the parade with live music and family-friendly games and activities. Bring a blanket and enjoy an afternoon and evening of live music and fireworks. Keep in mind that there’s plenty of parking available for $10, which helps defray the cost of the fireworks display. Umbrellas, pop-up tents and canopies are allowed, but all must be well to the side to allow viewing angles of the stage. Everything must be dismantled by 8 p.m. to allow maximum viewing of the fireworks show.
Throughout the day, you’ll also enjoy live music, starting with Red Glare, a band that performs hard rock and alternative rock music. Afterward, former “X-Factor” contestant Austin Corini will perform two sets. In between Corini’s sets, local band Pedals and Pistols will perform its rockabilly blues. Closing out the afternoon show will be The Kelly McDonald Band.
The evening show will begin with the bluegrass picking and vocal harmonies of the Just Picked String Band. The Patriotic Sing participants will also return for a cameo appearance at Fireworks On The Green. The evening show will also feature the classic rock favorites of The Dadz.
For more information about any of the events, visit mhfreedomfest.com.
GILROY
Today’s the final day you can purchase Safe and Sane fireworks in Gilroy to kick off the Fourth of July weekend. There are 16 nonprofit booths in Gilroy where you can buy them and support local organizations at the same time. The following is a list of organizations, along with the address where you can find their fireworks booth. List is from the City of Gilroy website; for more information, visit cityofgilroy.org.
• Apostolic Assembly Church, 7150 Camino Arroyo
• Christian School Parents Club, 8220 Monterey St.
• City of Gilroy Adaptive Recreation Program, 780 First St.
• El Camino Club (C.H.P.), 971 First St.
• Gavilan College RAM Football Boosters, 1210 First St.
• Gilroy Hispanic Chamber, 8850 San Ysidro Ave.
• Gilroy HS Cheerleaders Boosters, 7940 Monterey St.
• Gilroy HS Quarterback Club 401 E 10th St.
• Gilroy Little League Ball Park Fund, 691 First St.
• Gilroy Police Officers Association, 8400 Church St.
• Gilroy Pop Warner Football, 190 Welburn Ave.
• Gilroy Youth Football Cheerleaders, 80 10th St.
• South County Baseball Boosters, 6735-3755 Camino Arroyo
• Gilroy Elks Lodge #1567, 280 10th St.
• Stick and Move Boxing, 1425 First St.
• Victory Outreach Gilroy, 435 First St.
Gilroy Gardens Independence Day BBQ and Salute to Military Heroes: Celebrate America’s freedom with at an all-you-can-eat barbecue July 4-6 at Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. Enjoy tangy barbecue chicken, hot dogs, chili beans, potato salad, watermelon, ice cream and soft drinks. You need to purchase tickets to the park and the barbecue to enjoy this event. For more information, visit gilroygardens.org.
Showing off: Gilroy’s annual fireworks display begins at approximately 9:30 p.m. July 4 at the Gilroy High School sports field, 750 W. 10th St. Enjoy approximately 400 fireworks, with the show lasting about 20 minutes.
SAN JOSE
Want to head to our neighbors to the north? There are plenty of events in San Jose too.
San Jose Giants fireworks extravaganza: The single A ballclub of the San Francisco Giants will host the Stockton Ports at 6:30 p.m. July 4 and July 5 at Municipal Stadium, 588 East Alma Ave. Fireworks begin following each game. For more information, call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.
Rotary’s centennial fireworks: Enjoy this free, family-friendly event with a fireworks show at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Discovery Meadow, 180 Woz Way.
Rose, White and Blue Parade: Enjoy a family holiday filled with history, patriotism and roses, live music, arts and crafts booths, antique cars and a picnic on the Alameda. Parade starts 10 a.m. July 4 at Lincoln High School, 555 Dana Ave. Festival is located at The Alameda between Hanchett and Hester Ave. For more information, call (408) 436-8581.
