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The sun beat down hard and hot on July 4, but that didn't deter thousands from celebrating the holiday at Los Gatos' daylong festivities.
Time and time again, Los Gatans have proven that nothing can dampen their spirit of community, and the Fourth of July celebration was no exception. Decked out in red, white and blue, revelers exhibited a sense of patriotism as they gathered together in the center of town for an afternoon of entertainment and food.
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Photograph by Saori Yoneda
Attentive children watch as juggler Steven Kehler shows off his talents during the Fourth of July celebration.
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Armed with umbrellas, water bottles and sunglasses, residents hiked to the front of Los Gatos High School lawn—nickamed "Liberty Lawn"—and Los Gatos Civic Center—renamed "Patriot Plaza"—for the day. While the San Jose Wind Symphony and Peninsula Banjo Band played on, some took a seat and cooled off in the shade. Others, however, participated in family entertainment with their children.
The event started with a picnic that included a performance by the Sizzlin' Seniors, a dance by the Los Gatos High School cheerleaders, juggling and a game that involved children being rolled around in inflatable tubes.
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Photograph by Saori Yoneda
The day was sizzling, and so was this talented group. The Sizzling Seniors strut their stuff for the Fourth of July crowd.
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The San Jose Wind Symphony's two-hour show was the annual lawn concert that residents have come to expect and love. The symphony's finale included cannon bursts—which were also expected, yet never failed to startle those in the audience. But the show took on an especially poignant tone, as the band played a military medley and asked those who had either served the country or knew someone who did, to stand up. With the war in Iraq this year, a new generation of residents stood.
Los Gatans of all ages attended the concert. As old-timers sang along to old favorites and children boogied to a Grease medley, teenagers bobbed their heads and manned concession booths sponsored by volunteer organizations.
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Photograph by Saori Yoneda
Young Ryan McGrath is all smiles after getting rolled around by Cindy McCarthy of the Los GatosSaratoga rec department.
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After the symphony, free cake and ice cream were offered at the "Happy Birthday, America" party, which was followed by a relaxing time of bingo and lemonade in the shade. And as the day wore down, so did the crowd; however, a good amount of people still enjoyed the gourmet barbecue dinner catered by Johnny's Northside Grill, as well as music and dancing with The Plain James Band.
While people flocked to the Civic Center and high school lawn, the rest of downtown remained eerily empty, as merchants closed their business in commemoration of the holiday.
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Photograph by Saori Yoneda