By Carolyn Leal
The city of Saratoga plans an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration at Villa Montalvo this summer, complete with children's games, political speeches and patriotic music.
City Manager Harry Peacock outlined details before Saratoga's Business Development Council last week. An invitation to speak has been issued to Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, Peacock said.
"This is the city's 40th anniversary of incorporation and we've been kicking around things we might do to commemorate the city's birthday," Peacock said.
"The mayor and I got to talking," he said. "Saratoga has never had a Fourth of July celebration. Wouldn't it be neat if we could create an old-fashioned Fourth of July, minus the fireworks, which are illegal."
Villa Montalvo's board has agreed to let the city use its grounds, and community groups have been invited to participate, Peacock said. A meeting was held last Friday with representatives of some 30 civic groups expected to operate food and game booths. The owners of the Saratoga Springs resort have been asked to prepare a barbecue on the estate lawn and the Chamber of Commerce has signed on for a beer booth.
The celebration, which may include a Civil War reenactment, mountain-bike course, taiko drummers and rock & roll, will run from 1 to 6 p.m. Celebrants will be bused from West Valley College's parking lot, creating the major expense, about $3,000 for transportation.
Although it's early to estimate total cost, Peacock said the event will probably cost a minimum of $7,000, some of which will be underwritten by corporate sponsorships.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, April 3, 1996.
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