Mesa will welcome up to 100 new U.S. citizens on July 4. Since 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been holding a naturalization ceremony at the Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom. The ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. USCIS Phoenix Acting Field Office Director Cynthia Yanez will administer the Oath of Allegiance to the new citizens. Mayor Mark Freeman and Councilmember Jenn Duff will participate in the ceremony.
The idea to include a naturalization ceremony as part of the Arizona Celebration of Freedom came from the Sertoma Club, a founding partner of the event and a Mesa service organization, founded in 1954, whose motto is "Service to Mankind."
"As we explored new ways to enhance the Arizona Celebration of Freedom, one of the long-time members of the Sertoma Club, Walt Zimmerman, suggested that incorporating a naturalization ceremony on Independence Day felt like a meaningful and fitting addition to the event," said Barry Dickerson, a member of the Sertoma Club since 1979. "It aligns perfectly with the spirit of the event and the mission of our organization." Dickerson will lead attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during the ceremony.
The Sertoma Club also organizes other patriotic-themed aspects of the Arizona Celebration of Freedom including the Hall of Flags display, the History of Flags programs, the opportunity to sign replicas of the Declaration of Independence and the distribution of pocket-size copies of the U.S. Constitution. Event attendees can also receive copies of the civics test questions given to people applying for U.S. citizenship.
The Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 N. Center St. It features live music, patriotic displays, a BMX stunt show, picnic games and other family fun, fireworks and much more! More information is available at azcelebrationoffreedom.com.
The 2025 Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom is sponsored by the City of Mesa, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa Amphitheater, Sertoma Club, Mesa Recycles, Mesa Water Resources, Downtown Mesa Association, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Visit Mesa, Mesa Gateway Airport, Niagara, Semper Fi Heating & Cooling, Delta Hotels, Prensa Arizona, VCA Animal Hospitals; 95.5 The Mountain, United Food Bank and Celerion.