2023 Family Music Fest Schedule
For over 27 years, the Family Music Fest has been a time for neighbors and friends to come together and kick-off the July 4th celebration as a community. With music, food, drinks, and kids’ play areas all located in the heart of beautiful downtown it is the perfect place to put work aside and enjoy.
This year the event starts at 6pm directly after the Patriotic Sing, held at Morgan Hill’s Downtown Amphitheater at 5pm, which marks the beginning of Morgan Hill’s 4th of July celebrations. We have shifted everything an hour earlier as many of you shared that is more convenient for families. As always there will be a fun-filled evening of dancing at three stages, food from our local restaurants and food trucks and of course drinks.
This year’s Family Music Fest has a new leader, Christina Smith, and she has worked hard to bring “Family” to the forefront of Family Music Fest. Last year Christina introduced our children’s section, and she is excited to share the children's area is growing by leaps (in jump houses) and bounds! Face Painting, Meet & Greets with autographs for Morgan Hill’s first professional sports team The Panthers, chalk art, games, as well as a large, inflated obstacle course for older kids and jump house for younger kids, are all part of the festivities. As always, the kid’s and adult areas are all free of charge.
Family Music Fest begins at 6 pm (Please note: an hour earlier than prior years) with a salute to our veterans from the VFW Post 6309, American Legion 217 Honor Color Guard of Gilroy, organized by Al Alciati. The Color Guard troop from Gilroy will lead us in the national anthem on the (NEW LOCATION) MAIN STAGE at East 4th and Monterey next to the Methodist Church. Joining us this year to sing the National Anthem is Nashville singer Alison Turner. Karen Crane’s Patriotic Singers will also return for a cameo appearance at 7:15. The 4th Street Main stage will feature “The Usual Suspects” a Freedom Fest favorite. Joining Family Music Fest for the first time: DJ D-Ram will be mixing it up on East 3rd Street and Monterey. And back by very popular demand The Country Cougars will be on the 5th Street stage, sponsored by Bubbles and Brew.
Please help support all the Freedom Fest events by purchasing beer, wine or water at our new beverage pavilion located between 3rd and 4th street. Wine has been donated by some of our wonderful local wineries including Guglielmo Winery, our primary wine sponsor, along with Calerrain, Castillo’s Hillside Shire, Martin Ranch, Sarah's, and Verde Vineyards. We will also be featuring cider by locals TenFiveOne Cider Company. The beer and wine sales are one of the limited fundraising opportunities to support the Freedom Fest events so please consider having a drink or support the event by donating directly. Please no outside alcohol - it is a violation of our ABC license and bringing it to the event puts our liquor license and the events in jeopardy!
The VIP Pavilion will be located on West 3rd Street, near Ladera Grill. The VIP Pavilion is one way we thank our sponsors for donating $1500 or more and is catered by Sal Calisi of Odeum Restaurant located on Depot Street! We will be selling tickets to the Pavilion for the first time this year, $500 for 4 tickets. Go to the website for more information, only 40 tickets will be sold in this manner. What a great way to donate to Freedom Fest while enjoying Odeum’s pasta as well as wine and beer. Another first, attendees will be able to choose from a variety of wines donated to the event. The coffee and dessert are provided by Renee Carrillo at GVA Café located at the corner of Second and Monterey. Stop by GVA for one of their refreshing gelatos!
Due to popular demand, we have increased our food trucks this year. A big special thanks to Tiffany Smoot, our food vendor chairperson, for making sure we don’t go hungry. We will have over 9 trucks including: La Patrona MX, Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Fire and Slice, T & T, Chick N Bros, Snowie, Pupusa Lady, Plin Plin Ice Cream, Gold Rush BBQ and Backroad Beverages.
Pets are discouraged at the Family Music Fest - it can be crowded, and there is loud music which may make them uncomfortable.
Family Music Fest Schedule of Events
Downtown Morgan Hill
Monterey Road between Main Avenue and Dunne Avenue
Main Stage
*New Location
West 4th Street and Monterey Road
6:00 pm
VFW Honor Color Guard
Pledge of Allegiance
6:05 pm
National Anthem sung by Alison Turner
6:10 – 6:30 pm
Alison Turner
6:40 - 7:15 pm
The Usual Suspects
7:15 - 7:30 pm
Patriotic Singers
7:30 - 10PM pm
The Usual Suspects
3rd Street Stage
*New Location
East 3rd and Monterey Road
6:30 – 9:30 pm
Dance with DJ D-RAM
5th Street Stage
6:30 – 9:30 pm
The Country Cougars
