Saratoga News

Photograph by Lea Tauriello

William Jones leads other members of the American Civil War Association in firing muskets
at Saratoga's Fourth of July celebration at Villa Montalvo

Fourth of July ends with a bang

Celebrating the red, white and blue

By Julie Mehta

The city's first hometown July Fourth celebration, which inspired its share of fireworks between the mayor and Villa Montalvo neighbors, ended with a bang. Despite the neighbors' complaints over excessive noise, a group re-enacting the Civil War shot off several cannon blasts. As of last week, the city manager and the mayor said they had not heard any complaints about the celebration.

The celebration drew about 1,500 people, according to an estimate by city manager Harry Peacock, exceeding the goal of 1,000 attendees. The city, which raised $500 from its ice cream booth, ran out of product around 3 p.m., according to Peacock, and several other organizations reported depleted food supplies. Peacock said the lines to get on shuttle buses transporting visitors from West Valley College to Villa Montalvo were long throughout the day.

The event drew many families with children, who competed in hula-hoop contests, egg tosses, and sack races, let off steam in the Astrojump, and watched the puppet show.

Jacobs introduced Congressman Tom Campbell, who spoke for about 20 minutes about the U. S. Constitution and its significance.

Jacobs, who has been at the center of the noise controversy, said he didn't think it was noisy for the short time he attended the event.

Peacock says the city has received several positive calls from the community about the event. The city is planning a a follow-up meeting to discuss the celebration and to consider holding it again next year. Other sites, such as the Mountain Winery, may be considered for the event, Peacock said.

"Almost the entire thing was a volunteer effort made possible by donations," Jacobs said. "I would love to see it happen again, but it is up to the volunteers to do it."