Back To The Future: Discover Mesa All Over Again

Valley Metro is shifting gears and getting a big advert campaign on-track and online [maybe "jump-starting" to use one of Mesa Mayor John Giles favorite words, but we're dealing with a new no-emission and quiet technology here and now, not a crank-up car]
Link to click >
 Central Mesa Lightrail Opening Celebration

Plans are already in the works for expanding Valley Metro farther east to Gilbert Road 
[See image to the right]

What a Great Day for Downtown Mesa!
Who's to say how many people might be in downtown on Saturday August 22nd??
Thousands? Valley Metro won't estimate a certain number - just that it's difficult to predict, and they are planning and preparing for a good crowd and plenty of activities for all ages.
Commemorative passes, good for lightrail transit only, will be handed out at all stations from 9 - Noon
Valley Metro trains will run on a normal Saturday schedule with the Central Mesa Extension opening at 9:00 a.m.
On Saturday night, the last full trip of the day begins at 2 a.m., arriving at the opposite end of the line at 3 a.m. Sunday morning - that's according to this link from Friends of Transit Light Rail Schedule
A lot of people might be wondering when the last lightrail train will be leaving downtown

The Downtown Mesa Association is working to plan related promotions on Main Street with some Facebook postings at this early time for Night Market.

NEDCO will soon be announcing what it has been collaborating with its community partners for transit-oriented economic development, arts and culture and Creative PlaceMaking all around the New Urban Downtown.

Individual businesses have agreed to open early and stay open late - your MesaZona blogger talked with the owners of Gotham City Comics & Coffee who will be having artists creating illustrations on-site all day.

In addition to the link to Valley Metro Opening Celebrations above, Corinne Holliday and Rob Antoniak sent an email on Friday 25 July saying that  

It will be blocks of family fun. 

There will be music, food, local vendors, face painting, band performances, games, selfie stations, free museum admission and much more. 

Valley Metro has sent out a vendor application to all stakeholders from Dobson to Horne; Broadway to University, requesting any interested business or organizations return to Corinne Holiday by July 31, 2015.  

Holliday, Corinne <cholliday@valleymetro.org> 

That application can be found here: http://www.valleymetro.org/images/uploads/prop_photos/CME_Station_Celebration_Participation_Guide-Application_FINAL_071615.pdf


Valley Metro events are from 8:00 to 1:00

Afternoon and night time give light rail transit users and residents to turn Main Street into a pedestrian zone > find your reasons to walk-see-enjoy

Station celebrations will include:  Family fun, Music,  Food, Cool zones, Cultural experiences and Local vendors

Each station will have it’s own unique theme: 

Alma School/Main Street  Discover Education 

Country Club/Main Street Discover Community 

Center/Main Street Discover Downtown Mesa 

Mesa Drive/Main Street. Discover Mesa’s History