Back 250 years ago, after 11 years of war with Great Britain, the United States Declaration of Independence was signed by the revolutionists. The American Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783.
Thirteen original colonies broke free from the British Crown. The Kingdom of Great Britain would no longer rule the colonies.
The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, ending the war and allowing the United States of America its freedom.
Today in America, we celebrate the Fourth of July as our independence day across this great land, and in Alaska and Hawaii. In Los Gatos, we do it at Oak Meadow Park.
So, make sure to bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets (there will be food trucks).
Enjoy the music and the experience. Play lawn games.
The Town presents…
10:45am – Mayor Moore will present a welcoming speech. He promises to speak on “how powerful it is for the Los Gatos community to come together to celebrate democracy. In moments when so much feels divisive, seeing Los Gatos together to celebrate what we all love about this community is exactly what we need.”
The Los Gatos Boy Scout Troop 2 color guard will raise the flag with support from the Los Gatos Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation. This will culminate with the San Jose Wind Symphony playing the National Anthem.
11am – The Los Gatos Liberty Bell will be rung.
“Through the research and dedication of Los Gatos community member Jeff Des Jarlais, in coordination with the general manager of Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Will Whitney—both United States veterans—we have the good fortune of bringing back the tradition of ringing the Los Gatos Liberty Bell on the 4th of July,” a Town spokesperson said. “In 1963, a bell was first brought from San Francisco to Los Gatos to ring at 11am in honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Residents then raised funds to purchase a dedicated Los Gatos Liberty Bell which was rung for many years at 11am on the 4th of July.”
11:05am – The Children’s Bike and Stroller Parade around the meadow will begin.
“One of our newer traditions is the Children’s Bike and Stroller Parade that begins after the Flag Raising Ceremony & ringing of the Los Gatos Liberty Bell,” per the Town. “Children of all ages are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, and strollers to walk, stroll, and ride around the track at Oak Meadow Park. The Town’s Complete Streets and Transportation Commission will also provide bike and stroller valet parking for the duration of the event.”
11:15am-12pm – San Jose Wind Symphony performance.
“Perhaps one of the longest standing traditions of the Los Gatos 4th of July Celebration is the San Jose Wind Symphony concert,” the Town spokesperson said. “Originally coordinated through the Los Gatos High School Marching Band and performing on the front lawn of Los Gatos High School, the Town has carried on the tradition of hosting the patriotic symphony concert at the Oak Meadow Bandstand. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to enjoy the concert from the lawn.”
As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, this year’s program celebrates the revolutionary spirit that shaped our nation—through music that is inspired by independence, innovation, courage and the enduring pursuit of liberty.
During the day you can even help in handwriting the US Constitution. Is this a great country or what?
Take a ride on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, or go for a spin on the carousel.
The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos will host a wine and beer garden. There will be plenty of family activities during, and following, these events.
The Los Gatos Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution “DAR”, will have a booth in Oak Meadow. DAR has more than a million members. It was founded in 1890 in Washington, D.C., and is a nonprofit, non-political, volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism. (dar.org, america250.org)
Outside of our ZIP codes
Looking online, I found San Jose Fourth of July Events recommended by AI. Most weren’t even close to being correct. Here a list of events for this Fourth, corrected:
Aptos World’s Shortest Parade: Begins at Aptos Village, 448 Granite Way, 10-11am
The City of Mountain View and Live Nation: 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at the Shoreline Amphitheatre featuring the San Francisco Symphony Performing “Summer 1969: The Soundtrack of a Generation.” 7-11pm (gates open earlier). The free grass area is “sold out.”
San Jose: The Rose, White & Blue parade—car cruise. 9:45am, parade 10am-approximately 12pm, festival 11am-2pm. Free and open to the public. The parade starts near the campus of Lincoln High School, going through Shasta/Hanchett and Rose Garden neighborhoods (Dana-Naglee-the Alameda. Festival located at the corner of Shasta Avenue/The Alameda).
Expect lucha libre matches, a kids zone-hosted by ArtHouse Studio, face painting, games with Shasta Hanchett Park Neighborhood Association, free book giveaways for kids, local vendors, food trucks and a full lineup of vendors, food trucks and live entertainment. This year BayFC, NBC Bay Area, Telemundo48 and the San Jose Sharks will all feature sports-themed activations around the festival area.
Cupertino: Festivities from 7:30am-11am. Features a pancake breakfast hosted by the Optimist Club of Cupertino. At 10am, there will be a flag-raising ceremony, with remarks from the mayor, immediately followed by a children’s parade at Memorial Park at 10:30am. There will be kids activities and a live concert at the amphitheater. At 9:30pm there will be a fireworks show.
Santa Clara: The All-City Picnic is returning with live bands, food trucks and a fireworks display at Mission College.
What will you be doing on the Fourth?
On the Fourth, many of us may: drug our pets, drive somewhere—enjoying the freedom to sit in traffic; have a picnic (at home or in a park); set off fireworks; stay up till dark to watch drones in formation; watch and listen to powerful fireworks exploding with gunpowder through the atmosphere.
Whatever we do, we do it all in a country we call the United States of America, “Home of the brave.”
Those of us who do not read this are probably up at Tahoe, water skiing and enjoying the alpine beauty.
Wherever you are, take a minute to be thankful that you live in the “Land of the free.”
Be a firecracker, promote “liberty and justice for all.”
