The Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom is guaranteed to be one night of spectacular FREE fun and entertainment. The state's coolest festival to celebrate America's freedom and independence will be held Wednesday, July 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheatre campus, 263 N. Center St., and along Center Street between First Street and University Drive.
The temperatures may be hot, but you can stay cool at the event with KOOL Zones, sponsored by KOOL-FM, that include misting fans, a Mesa Fire and Medical Department spray truck and an air-conditioned Valley Metro bus. There will be lots of activities, displays and events inside of the Mesa Convention Center.
ATTRACTIONS
Musical entertainment on three different stages including one indoors: Stage America, the main stage at Mesa Amphitheatre; the Stars and Stripes Stage, located on the grass near Center and Second Streets and the Let Freedom Ring Stage inside Mesa Convention Center.
The Salute to America program at 9:20 p.m. will be followed at approximately 9:30 p.m. by the Fireworks Extravaganza.
A naturalization ceremony by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at 6:30 p.m. in the Mesa Convention Center Centennial Hall will welcome 325 new U.S. citizens representing 58 countries. The Mesa City Band will perform prior to the ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
One of the new attractions this year is the Patriotic Superhero Stunt Show, presented by Larry John Wright, Inc. It features professional BMX stunt riders performing amazing stunts and jumps on customized ramps located near the All American Food Court. The riders are the top talent from right here in Arizona and you don't want to miss the awesome finales! Performances are scheduled throughout the evening.
Fill the Fire Truck Food Drive. You can help needy families by filling the Mesa Parade Fire Truck with food. Bring non-perishable food items, bottles of water or cash to the event to help United Food Bank. Donations will be accepted at three entry locations: the north and south entrances on Center Street and the entrance between Mesa Public Library and Mesa Convention Center. Earn raffle tickets for amazing prizes like a 55-inch flat screen TV from Spencer's TV and Appliance, an acoustic guitar and case from Milano Music and tickets from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Rising by donating three non-perishable food items for one ticket, $5 cash for three tickets or a case of water (24+ bottles) for three tickets.
The Freedom Express trackless train, presented by SRP, Valley Metro, Stacy and Witbeck and Sundt, will offer free rides to children and adults.
BYOWB: Bring Your Own Water Bottle. Stop by the Water Bottle Refill Station located outside Mesa Amphitheatre and fill up your water bottle for FREE! Courtesy of City of Mesa Water Resources, you can stay cool and hydrated while you enjoy the celebration.
Mesa Convention Center will host a historical presentation of the flags of the United States along with the Hall of Flags featuring flags from every state and our US territories.
A Revolutionary War reenactment at 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. from the reenactment group We Make History. During the reenactments, black powder firearms will be in use. They are not dangerous to spectators but produce loud gunshot sounds. Life in 1776 Revolutionary War artifacts will be on display inside Mesa Convention Center.
Fallen Soldier Memorial, presented by Vice Mayor and District 5 Councilmember David Luna, District 4 Councilmember Chris Glover and District 6 Councilmember Kevin Thompson, is a breathtaking memorial honoring the Arizona fallen heroes from the war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. The memorial will be located inside Mesa Convention Center.
Patriotic Military Showcase allows you to get up close and personal with a variety of military vehicles and learn more about how you can support our troops. The display will include Charlie Chopper, now based in Mesa, which flew combat missions during the Vietnam War.
America's Heritage Lane gives you the chance to walk through inflatable replicas of our national monuments, including the U.S. Capitol, White House and Independence Hall. This is a place where you can be reminded of our great heritage and enjoy some great photo opportunities.
America's Arts & Culture Showcase will have crafts and displays from the i.d.e.a. Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History and Mesa Arts Center. There will also be a chalk artist who will invite kids to help her create a patriotic mural.
American Innovation Robotics, presented by District 1 Councilmember Mark Freeman and District 3 Councilmember Francisco Heredia, features students and robotics from Westwood Robotics and Plasma Robotics.
Tailgate Zone will offer plenty of games for adults and kids to enjoy such as a radar speed pitch, tee ball, field goal kick and cornhole toss.
Yankee Doodle Kids' Zone offers free carnival style and picnic style games like a water balloon toss, pie eating contest and the Great American Watermelon Toss.
Celebration Splash Zone will have numerous inflatables and soak zones so you can have fun and cool down. A new feature is The General, a giant red, white and blue waterslide for the bigger kids. There is a height requirement to ride it.
All American Food Court will offer a variety of food and beverages for sale.
PARKING AND STREET CLOSURES
FREE parking is available in all lots and on-street parking areas throughout downtown Mesa. ADA parking is in the lot at the northeast corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way (MLK Way, formerly 3rd Place) and Center Street. Only vehicles with appropriate stickers, license plates or hangtags will be allowed in the lot.
The following streets will be closed or restricted from 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 3 to 5 a.m. Thursday, July 5:
Center Street between University Drive and north post office driveway (1st Street)
post office access maintained using 1st Street
2nd Street at Center Street
through traffic detoured at Macdonald
local access up to Drew
MLK Way/3rd Place at Center
through traffic detoured at Macdonald and Centennial Way
local access maintained on 3rd Place up to Drew
Hibbert between 2nd Street and University
no access permitted
3rd Place between Pasadena and Pomeroy
no access permitted
Pomeroy between 2nd Street (north of apartment entrance) and University
local access up to the apartment entrance
Traffic will be detoured around the event via 1st Street, Country Club Drive, University Drive and Mesa Drive.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Passengers can use light rail into downtown Mesa, exit at the Center and Main Street stop and travel north just two blocks on Center Street to reach the event.
Light rail will operate on the Sunday schedule for the 4th with enhanced service beginning at 5 p.m. The last westbound train will depart Mesa Drive at approximately 12:35 am.
Buses will be running on a Sunday schedule, except for Route 40 - Main Street.
Route 40 - Main Street will have added trips every 30 minutes until 11 p.m eastbound to Superstition Springs Transit Center, and westbound to the Price and Apache Park and Ride in Tempe. This route also connects with light rail at all light rail stations in Mesa between Mesa Drive and the Sycamore Transit Center.
Information about bus service and light rail service is available at www.valleymetro.org or (602) 253-5000.
If you are more adventurous, G.R.I.D. bikes are located at Main Street and Center Street and at Center Street and University Drive. View all stations at www.gridbikeshare.com.
For more information about the Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom, including a complete list of items you can and cannot bring to the event, visit www.azcelebrationoffreedom.org.
Public Information and Communications
Contact: Steve Wright
Tel. 480-644-2069
steven.wright@mesaaz.gov
The 2018 Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom is presented by KOOL-FM, Downtown Mesa Association, Visit Mesa and the City of Mesa. Other sponsors are Sertoma Club; Entertainment Solutions Inc.; Americopy; Boeing; Crescent Crown Distributing; CORE Construction; Valley Metro Rail; Mesa Convention Center; Mesa Recycles; Mesa Water; Mesa Energy Resources; Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport; Special Devices Inc.; Arizona Republic; American Traffic Solutions; Haydon; Hilton; Marriott Phoenix-Mesa; Council District 1; Council District 3; Council District 4; Council District 5; Council District 6; Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities; Walmart; Nesbitt Contracting Company; Talis Corporation; Triadvocates; United Food Bank; Wist Office Products; Cider Corps; DNG Construction; Larry John Wright, Inc. and Service Line Warranties of America.