Mesa: Arizona Celebration of Freedom Honors America on its 250th Birthday

The 17th Annual Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom (ACOF) returns on Saturday, July 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., promising an unforgettable night of FREE, family-friendly fun in the heart of downtown Mesa on America's 250th birthday. Recognized as the state's coolest Independence Day festival, ACOF takes place at the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheatre campus, 263 N. Center St., with activities stretching along Center Street from First Street to University Drive.

While the temperatures may rise, attendees can stay cool outdoors thanks to shaded Cool Zones equipped with giant fans and misters and enjoy many indoor attractions within the air-conditioned Mesa Convention Center.

• With this being America's 250th birthday, or sesquicentennial, we will have a birthday party at the Mesa Amp at 8:45 p.m. It will include giveaways, Mesa Color Guard, the singing of God Bless America and Happy Birthday, cupcakes and a Mesa "Family Photo" opportunity in front of the stage.
• New this year is a drone show sponsored by NTT Global Data Centers that will be part of the Salute to America program at 9:15 p.m. on Stage America, located on the grass near Center and Second Streets. Approximately 250 drones operated by Pulse Drones will form aerial patriotic images.
• The Salute to America program will be followed at approximately 9:35 p.m. by the Fireworks Extravaganza. As is tradition, the fireworks display will be accompanied by patriotic music. Please do not bring your pets to the fireworks display due to the loud noises.
• An enlistment ceremony will be part of ACOF for the first time starting at 7:45 p.m. New U.S. Army recruits will be taking the oath. The ceremony will also include the Army Color Guard and 108th Army Band.
• The Patriotic Military Showcase will be bigger and better than ever. More than 35 vintage military vehicles will be on display including a 1942 GPW Jeep, a 1945 MB Willys and a 1952 M38A1 Jeep. Aircraft include a T33 "T Bird" and a MD500 Little Bird helicopter. Recruiters from the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps will be on hand.
• ACOF will begin with a flyover by four F-35 jets from Luke Air Force Base between 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• The 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 the Mesa Convention Center.
• 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.
• Live music will be presented on Stage America with Soulitify taking the stage at 6:30 p.m.
• Live music will be presented at the Mesa Amphitheatre by the 108th U.S. Army Band at 7 p.m. and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band at 8 p.m.
• Phoenix Championship Wrestling returns this year and moves inside the Mesa Convention Center. Phoenix Championship Wrestling stars Zamaya, Enrique Calderon, Jakob East, Yung Money, Taylor York and El Valiente will bring high-flying action to a night full of family-friendly professional wrestling matches. The Let Freedom Ring Laser Light Show will open the night and will return between wrestling matches during the evening.
• The Patriotic Superhero Stunt Show always draws big crowds. 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 6:35 p.m., 7:35 p.m. and 8:25 p.m.
• The All American Car Show, produced by Infamous Mopar AZ, will celebrate 250 years of freedom, innovation and American horsepower with an incredible lineup of more than 40 classic vehicles.
• Great All-American Freedom Farm is a great way to discover vintage and modern tractors, plus other equipment to learn more about Arizona's farm heritage.
• BYOB: Bring Your Own Bottle. Refill your water bottle for free at the Water Bottle Refill Station near the Mesa Amphitheatre, courtesy of City of Mesa Water Resources.
• Beat the heat with the outdoor mist-chilled All-American Food Court. 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 beat the heat on inflatable waterslides in the Celebration Splash Zone. A Mesa Fire spray truck will also be there to cool the kids.
• Enjoy interactive crafts and displays from the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, Arizona Museum of Natural History and Mesa Arts Center at America's Arts and Culture Showcase.
• Yankee Doodle Kids' Zone is offering picnic games including a potato sack race at 6:15 p.m., a hula hoop contest at 7:15 p.m. and musical chairs at 8:15 pm.
• Several downtown Mesa businesses are offering food and drink specials in celebration of ACOF. Find participating locations on the Downtown Mesa Association website.
• This year, ACOF is a totally cashless event. We will accept mobile payments and debit/credit cards
• FREE parking is available in downtown Mesa public lots and on-street parking. ADA parking is located at the northeast corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way (MLK Way, formerly 3rd Place) and Center Street. Vehicles must display ADA stickers, license plates or hangtags.
• The following streets will be closed or restricted from 5 p.m. on Friday, July 3 to 5 a.m. on Sunday, 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

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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 Street
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.

In observance of Independence Day, Valley Metro bus, light rail and streetcar service will operate on a Sunday schedule on Friday, July 3. There will be no Express/RAPID service.

Valley Metro will offer the following services to the Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom on Saturday, July 4: light rail A Line and bus routes 30, 40, 112 and DBUZ

Riders can view schedules for specific routes at valleymetro.org/maps-schedules. Riders are encouraged to plan their trips in advance using the Valley Metro app or by visiting valleymetro.org/trip-planner.

For full event details, including a list of allowed and prohibited items, visit azcelebrationoffreedom.com.

The 2026 Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom is sponsored by the City of Mesa; Mesa Convention Center; Mesa Amphitheatre; Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities; Sertoma Club; Mesa Chamber of Commerce; Visit Mesa; AT&T; American Leadership Academy; Benedictine University; Boeing; Delta Hotels; Downtown Mesa Association; Mesa Gateway Airport; Mesa Recycles; Meta; Nesbitt Contracting; Niagara; NTT Global Data Centers; Semper Fi Heating and Cooling; United Food Bank and VCA Animal Hospitals.

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