Saratoga News

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An old-fashioned celebration coming to Saratoga on July 4th

By Michele Leung

Bring out the red, white and blue. Saratoga's Independence Day festivities will be a celebration of patriotism, history and community spirit.

Jack Mallory is organizing the city's Fourth of July event and promises small-town fun at Azule City Park. The McCartyville Marching Band will play the music of John Philip Souza, and Ernest Cockrell, the head pastor at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, will beat the drum in revolutionary costume as part of a fife and drum duo. Ben Franklin will make an appearance to talk briefly about the Declaration of Independence, and the Chinese Crystal Student Choir will perform. The audience will get to sing patriotic songs and listen to a large, old bell being rung 13 times, to signify the original colonies.

"There are no fireworks," Mallory said. "This is an old-fashioned remembering of the basic reason why we have a Fourth of July."

After the ringing of the bell, attendees can walk around the perimeter of the park in a community parade. Mallory hopes for a sea of red, white and blue. He is encouraging adults and children, and their pets and bikes, to be decked out in patriotic colors.

Mallory is extending a special welcome to local veterans, from those of the World War II era to those who recently came back from Iraq, to join the community party.

"We would like to have veterans come out and recognize them because they have helped us keep our freedom," he said.

Mallory said Saratoga residents have a history of supporting old-fashioned patriotic events. The Memorial Day observance has been going strong at Madronia Cemetery for 100 years, he said.

"Some of the people who have come have said to me, 'This is the way we have celebrated in the Midwest. It's how I want my children to remember this,' " he said.

This is Mallory's third year organizing an Independence Day party for the city, but he can't do it alone. Last year's attendance topped 400 people, and he said he anticipates this year's crowd to be larger. Mallory is looking for donations or volunteers to help organize the parade, distribute ice cream or move benches and tables around.

Azule City Park is on Goleta Avenue near Sea Gull Way, across the freeway from Kevin Moran Park. The event will be from 10:15 a.m. to noon on July 4.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Jack Mallory at 408.252.7447 or email Mallory58@aol.com.