Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

The Skillet Likkers are cookin' up some country tunes for Saratoga's Hometown Fourth. From left: Frank McCormick, Les Landin, Vincent Garrod, Julia Gast, Ray Taulersly, Willys Peck and Ron Upton.

Saratoga celebrates hometown-style 4th

By Shari Kaplan

For the second year in a row, the mountains of Saratoga will be filled with flags, moms and apple pie--not to mention historical figures and re-enactments, music and other activities for all ages--during the Saratoga Hometown Fourth of July Celebration, taking place July 4 from noon to 5 p.m. at Villa Montalvo.

According to Saratogan Marilyn White, who is co-chairing the event with the Saratoga Lions Club, the idea of a "hometown" party went over so well last year that it has been expanded upon and is set to become an annual event.

"Every town has a Fourth of July celebration, but we really didn't do anything to celebrate the Fourth right here in Saratoga," White says. "We had great participation last year so we decided to do it again."

Local churches, community service clubs and other nonprofit organizations--along with some businesses--have come together to donate time, money or services. Many such groups will also be selling food, drinks and desserts at the event to support charitable causes.

"This lets the community at large know just what all these volunteers are doing, and have fun celebrating the holiday, too," White says.

Although the celebration of Independence Day hearkens back to 1776, at least one group at Montalvo that day will be turning the pages of history forward about a century to re-create the Civil War of the 1860s.

Members of the National Civil War Association and American Civil War Association--dressed in the blue and gray garb of the time period--will have historically accurate Union and Confederate encampments set up all afternoon on the Villa Montalvo lawn. Among other things, they will demonstrate the military tactics of various units and regiments from the North and South.

"We'll be there for the public to talk with us and get our opinions on the state of things," says NCWA member Ormond Eckley. A native of Canada, he became a real American history buff--and a citizen--and now enjoys re-enacting the Civil War. He currently portrays a Confederate sharpshooter from South Carolina.

"We'll also have a little quarrel develop, such that we'll have to settle it with force of arms. There will be no deaths, but there will definitely be some wounds, and we may even take prisoners," he says with a chuckle.

On an outdoor entertainment stage, other historical figures will come to life through costumery and traditional speeches. Thomas Jefferson, alias Jack Mallory, will ring the Liberty Bell and talk to the crowd, followed by the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, also known as Willys Peck. Additionally, husband and wife Don and Fran Miller will portray Uncle Sam and Betsy Ross.

Other stage entertainment includes country western music by the Skillet Likkers, drumming by the Saratoga Sister City Taiko group, acoustic pop guitar by David Collins and down-home tunes by the Santa Clara Senior Ukulele Band.

Activities for children include puppet shows, face painting, games, an inflatable Astro-Jump, 4-H club animals and exhibits and a family photo shoot booth.

Parking is not allowed on the Villa Montalvo grounds for this event. Those attending may park in the Fruitvale Avenue parking lot at West Valley College; shuttle buses will be running frequently. Admission to the Hometown Fourth celebration is free, although a transportation donation is welcome. For more information, call Marilyn White at 867-9417.

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