Light Rail Opening Ceremonies

One of the top selling bands of the 1970s, Grand Funk Railroad, will be the headlining act at “It All Starts Here!” sponsored by SRP, which celebrates the City of Mesa’s grand opening of its light rail station.  The event will be held Saturday, Dec. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sycamore Transit Center, located near Main Street and Dobson Road.

Grand Funk Railroad, formed in 1969, has several top selling albums and singles, including two number one hits:  “Locomotion” and “We’re an American Band.”  Other hit singles include “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Bad Time” and “I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home.”  “I’m excited to hear that Grand Funk Railroad is headlining Mesa’s light rail grand opening party,” Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said.  “What a great band to celebrate the start of our modern railroad.” 

Besides Grand Funk Railroad, local bands The Chadwicks, Rock Lobster and SRP’s Second Shift will also perform during the day-long celebration.  There will also be food, activities for children and free rides on the light rail trains.  With the exception of limited City services, the event is entirely funded by the community.  “It All Starts Here!” sponsored by SRP, is also being funded by Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill, DMB Associates, Gaylord Entertainment, Westcor, Boeing, Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA), Empire Southwest, Southwest Ambulance, Jump and Shout, Shirtail and Arizona Rattlers.

The City will also be introducing Valley Metro LINK, a state-of-the-art transit service with rail-like comfort, speed and reliability. Valley Metro LINK will serve a 12-mile corridor, running from the Superstition Springs Park-and-Ride connecting to METRO Light Rail at the Sycamore Transit Center.  Like Metro Light Rail, rides on Valley Metro LINK will be free from Dec. 27 through Dec. 31.

For more information on the event, or if interested in being a sponsor or vendor, contact Public Information and Communications Coordinator (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) at (480) 644-3332.