Cherished memories of celebrating 4th of July in San Jose

By Lina Broydo

Director of Public Relations at the Fairmont San Jose (1987-2009)

While most of the hotels occupancy was very minimal on the eve of July 4, The Fairmont San Jose was full to the max capacity with the callers begging for an overnight room, preferably on the top floors facing the architecturally whimsical structure of the Children’s Discovery Museum where the city orchestrated and presented the most spectacular 4th of July fireworks extravaganza.

Once all of these rooms and suites were sold out the tempting attraction of booking the rest of the rooms was a fabulous invitation for all the hotel guests to join the hotel’s outstanding culinary team in their colorful and delicious display of their own award winning gastronomic buffet lining the walls of the stunningly beautiful Fairmont Suite, the hotel’s penthouse on the 20th floor overlooking the night time presentation of the festive fireworks almost reaching the windows of the Fairmont Suite.

Watching the children’s eyes sparkle and with the sounds of their “Wow!” and “OMG” – this was truly a very special and memorable night in San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley.

I was honored to be asked by my General Managers to host this annual celebration and welcome our hotel guests to this very special event saluting America. How could I refuse? This was an honor and an unforgettable experience with emotional memories of my 20 years of working at the Fairmont San Jose, the city where I as an immigrant received her American citizenship at the San Jose’s Court House,

Ahh, amazing and heartwarming memories… And while Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco, I found my heart in San Jose. Hope the fabulous and the grand Fairmont San Jose will re-open its doors for business in the not too distant future and once again the hotel guests will be able to marvel at the beauty of the July 4th fireworks celebration coming live from the Discovery Meadow in the heart of Silicon Valley. Will I be able to book a room on the top floor? I hope so.

P.S. Yes, we did celebrate the Bastille Day every year on July 14 by creating a festive winemaker’s dinner for the community at large.