Freedom Fest Patriotic Sing 2025
Happy Birthday America! Though we won’t be wearing paper hats and blowing out candles, Freedom Fest will be celebrating the birthday of our country with activities for all. This year, 2025, our celebrations will be bigger than ever because this is the 150th Anniversary of the 4th of July activities in Morgan Hill. Many of our alumni singers will be performing with our current choir!
Freedom Fest, whose goal is to present 4th of July events for our community free of charge, is made up of a group of passionate volunteers. This group brings our community together at the Patriotic Sing and Essay Contest, Family Music Festival, Freedom Run, Classic Car Cruise, Parade and Fireworks. Participation in these activities is encouraged by both children and adults.
In February, young people were urged to write an essay based on the annual theme chosen by our Freedom Fest volunteers. Awards for our winning essays included trophies, shirts, cash prizes, and . . . being featured as our Guests of Honor at the 4th of July parade! Please take a minute to read this year’s winning essays in the program.
The day after Memorial Day, you’ll find children gathering on the lawn of Grace Hill Church as they prepare for the 37th annual Patriotic Sing to be held on July 3rd, 6 p.m., at the Morgan Hill Amphitheater. Participation in our chorus is free and there are no auditions. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn the songs of our country. The Sing is patriotic, not political.
As the director of the Patriotic Sing, I believe children should know the lyrics and melodies to our classic American patriotic songs. These songs are woven into our country’s history. They represent times of peace, times of war, times of trials and times of triumph. Whether in times of challenge or happiness, music records the emotions of the people involved.
At each rehearsal, children are asked to bring donations for our deployed troops. These donations are boxed and mailed by the Blue Star Moms. Our children also write notes of encouragement to the troops.
We create a “Wall of Heroes”. Youngsters submit in the names of family members and friends who are serving or have served in the military. We then create a display with all of the names. Watching family members of multiple generations stand by the display is quite moving.
The Patriotic Singers also sing at the Family Music Fest, along the parade route and at fireworks. During the school year, the chorus sings at various community events as well as at our local Veteran’s and Memorial Day Ceremonies.
All children are encouraged to attend our Freedom Fest events. After the Sing, why not head to the Family Music Fest, where there will be a Kids’ Zone! The Freedom Run offers a shortened course for children, and at the Car Cruise, youngsters will love seeing (and hearing!) some of our community’s classic cars. What youngsters don’t love a parade and fireworks? Freedom Fest is here to make memories for our community. If you are interested in joining our group, we are always eager to welcome new volunteers.
We hope you enjoy all our Freedom Fest 4th of July events. As you listen to our chorus, please look at the faces of our future. You’ll see happiness, enthusiasm, pride and a spirit of patriotism. It’s time to celebrate the 4th of July and the music of America brought to you by some amazing singers.
Karen Ann Crane
Patriotic Sing and Essay Contest Chairperson
