SE Valley Times

The AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom, held Tuesday, July 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., is the can’t-miss Independence Day festival in the state. Here are the Top 10 reasons why you should be in downtown Mesa on the Fourth of July:

1. Yes, we have fireworks! Our spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m., right after our Salute to America program at 9:15 p.m.

2. Beat the heat with our new outdoor mist-chilled food court. Grab your favorite treat or a meal from a variety of food trucks and concessionaires under the cool mist. You can also chase your children through the Splash Zone featuring inflatable waterslides.

3. The Celebration of Freedom is a salute to all things free (including admission) but mostly America! Inside the fabulously air-conditioned Mesa Convention Center will be the Hall of U.S. Flags featuring the banners of all 50 states, the history of U.S. flags and the Fallen Soldiers Memorial. Outside you will find the Patriotic Military Showcase with military vehicles on display.

4. Lasers. That’s right! We also have lasers. Get your “Introduction to Lasers” with three shows featuring spectacular laser displays, photos and music inside the air-conditioned Mesa Convention Center.
5. The outdoor displays are “cool” to see. The Great All-American Car Show features 50 pre-registered American-made vehicles. If you love classic cars, you have to check it out!

6. BMX bikes are back! The stunt shows are packed with amazing stunts and jumps and topped off with a grand finale that doesn’t include fireworks but will have you ooh-ing and aah-ing at the sky.

7. See if the 13 Colonies can break free from British rule during three Revolutionary War reenactments from We Make History. SPOILER ALERT: We win. Yay, America!!

8. But wait, there’s more! Beer stands, food trucks, beer stands, games, beer stands and Instagram-worthy photo opps like the military vehicle displays. Also, there will be beer stands.
9. Belly up to the free water bar, hosted by Mesa Water Resources. We want you to stay hydrated, but this bar is BYOB - Bring Your Own Bottle. Refill whenever you need, including at the water fountains inside the Mesa Convention Center.

10. We can’t say it enough. You can beat the heat at our outdoor mist-chilled food court, the Splash Zone and many patriotic displays inside the air-conditioned Mesa Convention Center.

11. Yes, 11. It is that good of an event. The AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom truly celebrates our freedom. And did we also mention it’s FREE?

The AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom will be held at the Mesa Amphitheatre and Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., and along Center Street between First Street and University Drive. For more information, visit www.azcelebrationoffreedom.com. 

There is still a need for volunteers for the event. Multiple times and shifts are available, including kids’ zone, splash zone, entertainment and information booths. Volunteers will receive a commemorative t-shirt (while supplies last), plenty of snacks and cold drinks during their shift and are entered into a raffle for awesome prizes. They must be 16 years of age or 14 if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Sign up to volunteer.

The 2023 AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom is sponsored by the City of Mesa; Mesa Convention Center; Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community
Facilities; Sertoma Club; Visit Mesa; Downtown Mesa Association; Arizona Car Show LLC; Mesa Recycles; Mesa Water Resources; Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport; Mesa Chamber of Commerce; 95.5 The Mountain, United Food Bank; Amazon; Nesbitt Contracting; Willmeng; Prensa Arizona; Sundt; AMR; Hard Mountain Dew; Dave & Buster’s; Niagara; Bashas and VCA Animal Hospitals. 

Original source can be found here.