ENTERTAINMENT PHOENIX/MESA 61

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A DAY IN MESA
MESA ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS COME ALIVE THIS SPRING
By Michelle Streeter
Celebrations fll up the calendar in Mesa each spring. This is the time of year
when legions of baseball fans fock to the area to cheer on the Chicago Cubs
and celebrate Midwest culture. Check out these events and unique Mesa fnds
when visiting the area this season.
GET CREATIVE AT THE
ANNUAL SPARK! FESTIVAL
Every March, Mesa Arts Center celebrates
creativity and imagination at the Spark! Festival.
Held March 19-23, the free festival features
numerous interactive opportunities including an
intergenerational dance, original performances,
live art creation and more. Musical guests will play
throughout the fve-day afair in the four theaters
and outdoor stages. Visitors can also enjoy sample
arts workshops for a small fee.
ON THE HUNT FOR
ARIZONA TREASURES
Each winter visitors fock to the Mesa Market
Place Swap Meet to collect an assortment of
reasonably priced goods that you simply cant fnd
anywhere else. Te covered market boasts 1,600
booths covering 55 acres with vendors ofering a
variety of gifs and products, including locally-
made foods and crafs. Standouts include jewelry,
handbags, fashions and everything for the home.
Live entertainment and dining round out the
experience. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
CELEBRATE CHICAGO STYLE
To help celebrate the brand-new Cubs Park
stadium, Mesa is hosting a three-day Chicago Fest
March 14-16 at the Mesa Riverview Park. Not to
be missed is the Vienna Beef 's Taste of Chicago
Food Court featuring Mike Ditka's restaurant.
Two stages will feature live entertainment all day
long including the Chicago Blues Stage and music
and dancing at the Chicago Polka Stage. Catch
up on your favorite athletes and participate in the
History of Chicago interactive exhibit. Te events
take place from 1 to 6 p.m. each afernoon and
admission is $10.
Squonk Opera performs
To help celebrate the brand-new Cubs Park stadium,
Mesa is hosting a three-day Chicago Fest at the Mesa Riverview Park
Treasures galore can be found
at the famous Mesa Marketplace & Swap Meet
Visitors ock to Mesa Arts Center each March
to participate in the annual Spark! Festival