SE Valley Times

The AT&T Fiber 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 is Tuesday, 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 Cool Zones that include giant fans and misters. There will be many activities, displays and events inside Mesa Convention Center.

ATTRACTIONS

Entertainment on two outdoor stages: Mesa Amphitheatre and Stage America, located on the grass near Center and Second Streets.

The Salute to America program at 9:15 p.m., on Stage America will be followed at approximately 9:30 p.m. by the Fireworks Extravaganza. The fireworks, as is tradition, will be accompanied by patriotic music. Please do not bring your pets to the fireworks display due to the loud noises.

The event always has something new. This year it is the Great All-American Freedom Farm. It’s a great way to see vintage and new tractors and other equipment and learn more about Arizona’s farm heritage. Among the items to see is a 1923 John Deere Model D, one of the earliest made tractors. Thanks to the Arizona Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association for participating.

One of the “must-see” attractions is the Great All-American Car Show. It features up to 50 pre-registered American-made vehicles on display outdoors between the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Public Library. The car show includes a “Best of Show” with trophies for first place, second place and third place.

Another spectacular attraction is the Let Freedom Ring Laser Light Show inside the Mesa Convention Center. There will be three 20-minute shows at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. featuring spectacular laser displays, photos and patriotic music.

Back by popular demand is the Patriotic Superhero Stunt Show. It features professional BMX stunt riders performing amazing stunts and jumps on customized ramps 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 at 6:30 p.m., 7:20 p.m. and 8:10 p.m.

BYOB: Bring Your Own Bottle. Stop by the Water Bottle Refill Station 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.

Beat the heat with our new outdoor mist-chilled All-American Food Court. Grab your favorite treat or a meal from a variety of food trucks and concessionaires under the cool mist. Beer gardens, offering beer, soda and water for sale, will be located at the Stage America Tailgate Zone and the All-American Food Court

The kids can stay cool with the Splash Zone featuring inflatable waterslides.

Mesa Convention Center will host Historic Flags of the U.S. at 6:30 p.m., 7;15 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. The Hall of Flags features flags from every state and our U.S. territories.

A Revolutionary War reenactment at 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. at the Mesa Amphitheatre from the local 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 displayed inside the Mesa Amphitheatre.

Between the Revolutionary War reenactments at the Mesa Amphitheatre, enjoy the patriotic sounds of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band. The band is scheduled to perform at 7:05 p.m., 8:05 p.m. and 9:05 p.m.

Fallen Soldier Memorial 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.

A naturalization ceremony at 5 p.m. inside Mesa Convention Center features 100 people from 34 countries taking the oath of citizenship.

Patriotic Military Showcase allows you to get up close and personal with various military vehicles and learn more about how you can support our troops.

America’s Arts and Culture Showcase, inside Mesa Convention Center, featuring crafts and displays from the i.d.e.a. Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History and Mesa Arts Center

Tailgate Zone, located in the grass next to Stage America, will offer plenty of games for adults and kids to enjoy, such as a football toss, basketball hoops, field goal kick and cornhole toss.

Yankee Doodle Kids’ Zone offers free carnival-style games for kids and face painting.

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. Monday, July 3 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 5:

Center Street between University Drive and north post office driveway (1st Street) – Access is maintained to the post office driveway on Center Street north of 1st Street

      post office access maintained using Center 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 – access is maintained to the alley east of 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.

In honor of Independence Day, bus, light rail and streetcar will operate on a Sunday schedule on Tuesday, July 4. Customer Service and transit center service windows will be closed. Riders are encouraged to use the   Valley Metro app  to plan their trip, track their vehicles and purchase fare.

For more information about the AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom, including a complete list of items you can and cannot bring to the event, visit www.azcelebrationoffreedom.com.

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; Dave & Buster’s; Niagara; Bashas and VCA Animal Hospitals.

Original source can be found here.