By Khalida Sarwari
Saratoga’s Kevin Moran Park will be the site of patriotic songs, a ceremonial ringing of the Liberty Bell, popsicles and an old-fashioned parade during the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration.
The July Fourth festivities will kick off at 9:30 a.m. at 12415 Scully Ave., with an opening speech by Mayor Manny Cappello, who will serve as emcee for the remainder of the program, along with Councilman Howard Miller and former mayor and councilman Chuck Page.
Earlier this year, the Saratoga City Council allocated $2,200 for the event.
“It is a wonderful community event for all ages,” said Sarah Okuno, coordinator of this year’s celebration. Okuno has been planning and producing the annual event for the last six years. She said more than 1,000 people attended last year’s celebration.
The McCartysville Volunteer Band will play a medley of patriotic songs beginning at 9:30 a.m. The band was named after McCartysville, the city’s name back in the 1850s, and is comprised of 50 brass, woodwinds and percussionists who perform once a year for the Fourth of July program.
Dressed in colorful uniforms, members of Sons of the American Revolution–descendants of people who fought in that war–will ring a 100-year-old bell that represents the Liberty Bell.
The highlight, according to Saratoga Historical Foundation president Annette Stransky, will be a “Voices of Freedom” tableau created by Saratoga Federated Church minister Bill Allison. Combining 25 costumed characters, quotes about freedom, and music, Voices of Freedom is a brief presentation about the U.S. from its birth to the present.
“The program reminds the audience that America is made up of ordinary people who stepped up and did extraordinary things in the name of freedom,” said Stransky.
The event concludes at 11 a.m. with a parade led by the color guard while the McCartysville Volunteer Band performs. All attendees are invited to get into the spirit by dressing in red, white and blue. Children are encouraged to bring their decorated bicycles, wagons and even their dogs. At the end of the parade, popsicles will be passed around to everyone.
Operation Care and Comfort, a nationally recognized program that supports troops, veterans and their families, will have a table for anyone interested in making donations or writing letters to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Special seating will be reserved for seniors and those who have served in the military. Veterans are encouraged to wear their uniforms.
There will be a crafts table for children. They’ll be able to pick up a free U.S. flag and temporary tattoos.
Musicians interested in playing in the McCartysville Volunteer Band are encouraged to visit saratogaJuly4.com or villageband.com for more information. Anyone interested in decorating, setting up chairs or cleaning up afterward is asked to contact Okuno atsokuno@gmail.com.
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Saratoga: Big doin’s are planned for Fourth of July celebration at Kevin Moran Park
