Welcome to our Parade Day Info page.  We’re so glad that you want to join us and be a part of the East Valley Veterans Day Parade November 11.  Here’s info to get you to the right place, along with recommendations and limitations if you plan to decorate your vehicle.

  • Vehicles enter the parade route waiting area off University Drive at Centennial Way.  This is the first traffic light west of Mesa Drive. (Scroll down for map.)

  • From University Drive you will be directed to proceed south onto Centennial Way, and then west onto Martin Luther King Jr Way. There you will enter a parking lot which is the waiting area for spectator vehicles.

  • Please arrive no earlier than 10:15 am on Wednesday morning.

  • The parade kick-off program will begin at 10:45 am with remarks from the Mayor of Mesa and our Grand Marshal Captain Alexander B White, M.D., followed by the National Anthem performed by Jeff Senour and Called to Serve.

  • This program and entertainment throughout the parade will be broadcast via an FM transmitter so you can tune in on your car radio.  The frequency will be provided to you upon your arrival at the spectator vehicle waiting area.

  • The parade route will open at 11 am and you will be directed onto south Center Street to view all the great parade entries.  Upon completion of the route at the corner of 1st Street and Center Street, you will be directed to turn west onto 1st Street to depart the area.

  • Approximately one block to the west, there will be a parking lot reserved for “un-decorating” of spectator vehicles.  If you would like to pull in and remove any decorations from your car, you may do so in this lot.  Waste receptacles will be available.

Decoration Guidelines:

  • Please remain in or near your vehicle while you are in the spectator waiting area.  You may step outside to finalize your decorations while waiting to enter the route, but remain close to your vehicle and observe social distancing guidelines.

  • Make sure that all decorations are securely attached to your vehicle to avoid littering the streets as you drive.

  • Do not attach any decorations that are designed to be dragged down the street behind your vehicle.

  • Standard size balloons (helium or regular) are permitted, as long as they are properly secured to your vehicle.  Do not attached other large inflatables to your vehicle. If you have to ask – it’s probably too large!

  • We ask that messages & signs be patriotic in nature or show your appreciation of our Veterans’ service and sacrifice.  Profanity, political statements and other inappropriate messaging will not be allowed.

And finally – at all times, promptly follow any directions of the Mesa Police Department or parade staff.

This is important for your safety and the safety of our entries, volunteers and staff.  We want everyone to have an enjoyable experience to remember as we CELEBRATE WARTIME ART & ARTISTS!

East Valley Veterans Parade route map