The annual East Valley Veterans Parade Presented by EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure will honor our nation's veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in downtown Mesa. With 100 entries, the parade begins at the intersection of Center Street and University Drive. It will travel south on Center Street and turn west on First Street. The parade will continue on First Street to Robson, where it will end. More information about the parade is available at evvp.org.

This year's theme is "Nifty 250 Freedom Ain't Free" honoring the readiness and resilience of America's Armed Forces from before our nation's birth through every generation that has followed.

The 2026 East Valley Veterans Parade grand marshal is Retired Air Force Major General Jerry Holmes of Mesa who flew 130 combat missions in Vietnam, worked on an early U.S. military space program and later commanded NATO's fleet of airborne radar planes in Europe. Holmes logged more than 4,600 flying hours in 11 types of aircraft. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal with six oak left clusters.

Mesa's Veterans Day commemorative activities begin with a recognition at 10:30 a.m. The program will include remarks from Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman.

The following streets will close for the parade:

6 a.m. (parade staging)

• Center Street - all streets that intersect Center north of University Drive will be closed on both sides of Center (5th St., 6th St., 6th Place, 7th St., 8th Place and 9th Place)
• Center Street - 9th Place to University Drive (no northbound traffic)
• Center Street - at Brown Road (local traffic only southbound from Brown)
• Center Street - at 9th Place (reduced to one southbound lane to University Drive)
• 8th Street - Center to Mesa Drive (local traffic only; Mesa Drive to Fitch Park driveway)
• Athletics Way (6th Place) - Center to Fitch Field parking lot

8 a.m. (the parade route will be closed)

• Center Street - University Drive to Pepper Place
• 3rd Place - Center Street to Drew
• MLK Way - Center Street to Centennial Way
• 2nd Street - at Center Street
• 2nd Street - Robson to Country Club Drive
• 1st Street - Centennial Way to Country Club Drive
• Macdonald - Pepper Place to 2nd Street
• Robson - Pepper Place to 2nd Street
• Morris - 1st Street to 2nd Street

10:45 a.m.

• University Drive - Mesa Drive to Country Club Drive

Access to Center Street from all adjacent streets between University and Brown Road will close at 6 a.m. All streets adjacent to Center Street south of University will be unable to access Center Street at 8 a.m.

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University Drive will reopen to traffic at Center Street at approximately 12:30 p.m. All streets should reopen by 2 p.m. Traffic can detour around the parade route using Main Street, Mesa Drive, Country Club Drive and Brown Road.

The City of Mesa offices will be closed on Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Trash and recycle barrels will be on the regular collection schedule. Residents should have their containers out by 6 a.m. as service may happen at a different time than usual.

To celebrate and honor service members, the idea Museum and Arizona Museum of Natural History are offering free admission on Nov. 11 for veterans and active duty military for parties of up to six people.

Mesa Arts Center Box Office, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum and all branches of Mesa Public Library will be closed Nov. 11. Red Mountain Center will be closed along with Webster and Jefferson recreation centers. Eagles Community Center will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., The Kino Aquatic Center and Skyline Aquatic Center will be closed for adult lap swimming on Nov. 11. Dobson Ranch Gold Course will be open.

Local bus and light rail routes will operate on their regular weekday schedule. However, Express and RAPID commuter bus services will not operate that day.
Route 30 - University Drive Eastbound and Westbound, Route 112 - Country Club Northbound to Centennial/Main, Route 120 - Mesa Drive Northbound and Southbound, and the Downtown BUZZ will be detoured from start-of-service until 2 p.m. Please download the Valley Metro app to stay up to date with detours, pay your fare, plan your trip and see real-time arrival data. Or, visit valleymetro.org/rider-alerts for details.

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Other Veterans Day observances in Mesa include the Royal Air Force Cadet Memorial Service on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 10:45 a.m. at the Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St. The service, presented by the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona, honors the 23 British cadets and one American pilot killed in air accidents during Falcon Field's four years as a training facility for U.S. and British fighter pilots during World War II. Those individuals rest in a special section of the Mesa Cemetery. This observance has been held in Mesa annually for more than 30 years.

The City of Mesa is proud to participate in the nationwide celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Through events like the Veteran's Day Parade, residents are invited to join Mesa as we honor our nation's past, present and future. Find more resources and information about the year-long series of events at mesaaz.gov/america250.

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