Mesa Offers Free Events, Live Music, Kids Games To Draw Visitors Downtown
One square mile of Mesa is getting some extra attention as the city plans for a special event.
“We’ve never done anything like this before,” said Nancy Hormann, president and executive director of the Downtown Mesa Association.
She’s been working with about 50 businesses along Main Street preparing for “I Love Mesa Day”
On Saturday, Sept. 25, people can shop at the farmer’s market, enjoy live music and visit three museums at no charge: Arizona Museum of Natural History, i.d.e.a. Museum and Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.
There’ll be carnival games, arts and crafts and face painting for kids until 3 p.m. with food and drink specials going into the night.
“So our goal in this event is basically to introduce everybody to what is here in downtown Mesa because surprisingly, a lot of people don’t know how cool we are,” Hormann said. “It’s not about how many people, it’s about how people are engaged. Are people really coming down? Are they enjoying downtown? Are they learning about downtown, you know, about what’s here."
"... surprisingly, a lot of people don’t know how cool we are."
— Nancy Hormann, Downtown Mesa Association
Some businesses will give free gifts to first responders and the city will host two free night time concerts at the Mesa Amphitheatre featuring Michael Franti Trio, with special guest Quetzal Guerrero, and Young the Giant. Tickets are limited and registration is required at www.mesaamp.com.
Here’s a list of activities provided by Downtown Mesa Association:
Morning
8 a.m.-12 p.m. Downtown Mesa Farmers Market
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Admission* AZ Museum of Natural History
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Admission* i.d.e.a. Museum
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Hourly Drawings @ Milano Music Center
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Admission* Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free Cookies* for First Responders @ Smith-O-Lator Cookie Shop
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Back-Alley Market @ Sonoran Moon Vintage
Afternoon
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Kids Zone | Games | Prizes | Arts & Crafts | Face Painters | Live Music | Entertainment
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Specialty Food Trucks | Kona Ice | Leo’s Ice Cream
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Grand Opening @ The Boutique Baby
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Specialty Pop-Ups | Save the Family | SW Herb Shop
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free Comic Book* for First Responders @ Gotham City Comics
Noon-3 p.m. Guest Chef Jason Taylor of Otherside Ministries @ Oro Brewing Co
Noon-3 p.m. Live Music @ Jarrod’s Coffee, Tea & Gallery
Noon-3 p.m. Free Chair Massages* | Spin-the-Wheel Giveaways* | Dinemo and Friends @ ASIS
1-3 p.m Raul Burruel Solo @ 12 West Brewing
Evening
Noon-12 a.m. Oktoberfest @ Chupacabra Taproom
3-5 p.m. Open Mic @ Jarrod’s Coffee, Tea & Gallery
4 p.m.-til Tommy Grills Band @ 12 West Brewing
5 p.m.-til Phoenix Lechon Roasters @ Oro Brewing Co
5 p.m.-til Patio @ Jarrod’s Coffee, Tea & Gallery
6-9 p.m. Mind Body & Soul @ Desert Eagle Brewery
6 p.m.-til Malnourished† @ The Nile
6:30-9 p.m. Dr. Dave: Everything but Jazz, 1950-2020 @ Il Vinaio
7:30 p.m. All Ages Comedy† @ NCT
9:45 p.m. Slightly Uncensored Improv† @ NCT
Throughout The Day
20% Off Sale @ Buckhorn Vintage
First Responder Gift Bag Giveaways* @ Pomeroy’s Men’s Store
I Love Mesa Day Specials @ PXG Mesa
Special Menu Items @ Desert Eagle Brewery
Mesa Burger and Mesa Pecan Pie Bread Pudding Specials @ Il Vinaio
“Mesa-Rita” and Taco Specials @ Margarita’s
Live Demo @ The Sagebrush
