Drone Show and Expanded Military Display Added to Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom on July 4

Drone Show and Expanded Military Display Added to Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom on July 4

The Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom is adding new attractions this year, including a patriotic drone show and an expanded military showcase, as part of Mesa's America250 celebration.

For the first time, the event includes a drone show sponsored by NTT Global Data Centers that will feature approximately 200 drones operated by Pulse Drones, which will form aerial patriotic images to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday.

The Patriotic Military Showcase has also expanded and will have more than 25 vintage military vehicles on display including a 1942 GPW Jeep, a 1945 MB Willys and a 1952 M38A1 Jeep. Aircraft include a T33 "T Bird" and a MD500 Little Bird helicopter. Recruiters from the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps will be on hand and an Army enlistment ceremony will be held.

The Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom is Saturday, July 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center campus, 263 N. Center St. The biggest and best free patriotic event in Arizona includes live music, pro wrestling, historic flags on display, a Fallen Soldiers Memorial, laser light show and endless family fun with so much more. The event culminates with a Salute to America and spectacular fireworks show.

Visit azcelebrationoffreedom.com to get more details as we get closer to the event. It's all part of Mesa's year-long celebration of our nation's 250th birthday through a series of service projects, neighborhood celebrations, cultural programming and educational events to honor America and its milestone anniversary.

The 2026 Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom is sponsored by the City of Mesa; Mesa Convention Center; Mesa Amphitheatre; Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities; Sertoma Club; Mesa Recycles; Mesa Chamber of Commerce; Visit Mesa; Benedictine University; Boeing; Delta Hotels; Downtown Mesa Association; Mesa Gateway Airport; Meta; NTT Data; Semper Fi Heating and Cooling and VCA Animal Hospitals.