Council approves name change for downtown amphitheater

It will now be known as the Rich Firato Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater

By Robert Airoldi

The Morgan Hill City Council unanimously approved a name change for the downtown amphitheater. It will be renamed after Rich Firato, the benevolent pirate who died unexpectedly Aug. 22 and who was the driving force behind growing the Friday Night Music Series and who played a pivotal role reimagining the powerful connection between music and community.

The request came from a coalition of community advocates led by Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce CEO/president Nick Gaich and resident Brian Sullivan, a longtime volunteer at the Friday Night Music Series.

“In the brief time since his passing, we have witnessed an unparalleled outpouring of love and support saluting Rich’s lifelong pursuit to enrich our community,” Gaich said. “As a dedicated community advocate, Rich tirelessly worked to uplift those around him. He understood true change begins at the grassroots level, and Rich devoted his life to ensuring that every voice was hear, and every story was told.”

The 5-0 vote came during the council’s Nov. 20 meeting. It will include the group working with the city’s Library, Culture and Arts Commission to erect a community-funded statue of “The Pirate Rich Firato” placed in an appropriate location around the amphitheater that will serve as a visual reminder of Rich’s indelible footprint of community service.

Rich’s path to becoming Morgan Hill’s beloved buccaneer began when the family moved to their current home along Hill Road in 2000. What started as a small project to renovate a backyard hut gradually evolved into “Morgan’s Cove,” an elaborate pirate-themed wonderland featuring a one-third replica of a Spanish galleon. Constantly adding to the private park for 24 years, Rich branded himself “the benevolent pirate” and welcomed locals to tour and be amazed at marvels around every corner — including grinning pirate skeletons and fake pirate gold doubloons. Earlier this year, the Firatos established Morgan’s Cove Foundation to provide educational experiences for children. The family worked through the umbrella nonprofit Morgan Hill Community Foundation in creating the nonprofit.