More Grand Opening info from Metro!

Woo hoo.. We are starting to get more info from Metro concerning the grand opening celebrations. Lot's of great info from their press release today. Check it out!

PHOENIX — Come celebrate METRO light rail’s grand opening with several unique, community-inspired station celebrations in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa on Saturday, Dec. 27.
While METRO’s grand opening is that entire weekend, Saturday is for those who like celebrations.  You’ll find something of interest at every METRO station, including nine large-scale station celebrations at locations across the 20-mile alignment.
Here is the current station celebration line-up with the location and its respective party theme identified.  METRO is grateful to its station celebration sponsors who are also listed and key to the creation of these events.

19th Ave. and Montebello – A Better Tomorrow Starts Today Sponsored by APS, celebrate Phoenix’s diversity through food, music and family activities.
Thomas and Central Ave. – Health and Wellness Sponsored by St. Joseph’s Hospital and MedicalCenter, enjoy entertainment and educational activities that will help you safeguard and improve your health.

Thomas Road and Central Avenue – "Health and Wellness" theme. Sponsored by St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, featuring entertainment and educational activities designed to help safeguard and improve your health.

Encanto and Central Ave. – Arts and Culture Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, music, performance art and visual art will be the stars of this celebration.
Third St. between Jefferson and Washington – Phoenix Rising Sponsored by CityScape, check out what’s new and happening in downtown Phoenix while enjoying live music, street performers and family activities.  This celebration will also serve as the opening of the new PhoenixConvention Center.

Third Street between Jefferson and Washington  – "Phoenix Rising" sponsored by CityScape will spotlight what's new and happening in downtown Phoenix. There will be music, street performers and family activities. This party also will celebrate the gorgeous new Phoenix Convention Center.

44th St. and Washington – SkyHarbor Community Sponsored by Phoenix SkyH arbor International Airport, learn how you can connect to the airport using METRO beginning Dec. 29.
Priest Dr. and Washington – PapagoPark Celebration Sponsored by SRP, join the neighboring destinations, Phoenix Zoo and DesertBotanical Garden, for interesting exhibits and fun things to do and learn with your family.

Priest Drive and Washington – "Papago Park Celebration" is the theme. Sponsored by SRP, it will focus on the neighboring destinations, including the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden. Lot's of large employers in this area.

Mill Ave.and Third St. – Mill Avenue Experience Sponsored by Hayden Ferry, step into the urban oasis that is Mill Avenue offering a wide variety of culture, entertainment and dining options.

Fifth St. and Veterans Way – Destination Tempe Sponsored by Gray Development, Avenue Communities and Aloft Tempe, come to know all that Tempe has to offer with festival booths, a farmer’s market, archeology displays and a kid’s area. This celebration will also serve as the opening of the new Tempe Transportation Center, the city’s newest LEED certified building.

Sycamore and Main St. – It All Starts Here Sponsored by SRP, celebrate Mesa’s future with live music, food and fun for the whole family including a kid’s zone and a classic car show. This celebration will also launch the new bus rapid transit service, Valley Metro LINK, that will provide another transit option for Mesa residents.

At the other station areas, METRO looked to the community to become involved. Local businesses, nonprofits, neighborhood associations and other organizations will be the featured highlights at these community celebrations.

Celebrations will run from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with free train rides offered from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.  Free light rail rides will continue through Dec. 31.  Free bus shuttles will also be provided on Saturday and Sunday if you would like to skip the lines and get back to your original destination.
More detail on METRO’s grand opening will roll out in the coming weeks from METRO and its city partners.  Visit www.metrolightrail.org/grandopening for more information.