Chicago Festival West, a Chicago themed outdoor festival, is scheduled for March 19 at the Mesa Convention Center and Amphitheater, located at 263 N. Center Street, Mesa. This new first-year event is being presented by College Bound AZ, an Arizona nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization who helps underserved youth achieve their dream of a brighter future through a college education.
The March festival will serve as an annual Signature Event fundraiser for College Bound AZ, collegeboundaz.org or chicagofestwest.com.
“We are changing the history of tomorrow for these youth, one student at a time,” said Elizabeth Paulus, College Bound’s executive director. In addition, the organization is featuring a Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow Medallion search. The medallion will be hidden somewhere in Mesa.
The one who finds the medallion will get $1,000 in gifts and prizes.
The outdoor festival will feature everything Chicago, including tribute bands Chicago Rewired, the Premier Chicago® and REO Speedwagon® tribute bands.
The medallion is hidden within the City of Mesa, and you start by being square if you want to be first to find the treasure.
The medallion is not:
• Hidden on a private residential or business property
• There is no need to dig or climb to find the medallionWhen the medallion is found, return the treasure to the Visit Mesa office, located at 1 North McDonald St., Suite 209, to claim the prize, or call (480) 827-4700. After hours, call College Bound AZ at (480) 861-9573.
There will be plenty of food tents and trucks, arts and crafts booths, vendors, sports memorabilia, neighborhood pavilions with Chicago-style ethnic foods, youth art exhibits, chalk artists, a Chicago graffiti artist, a vintage car show, sports dignitaries like Jim McMahon and others, a high school drumline, and other live entertainment throughout the weekend.
“College Bound AZ assists underserved youth with our RISE Scholars’ program with the goal of full ride financial awards. We help our Junior RISE Scholars transition to high school into our RISE Scholars program ready to take on the challenges of preparing for college,” said Elizabeth.
Tickets to the Chicago Festival West are $12, and more information can be found at chicagofestwest.com.
For more information about College Bound AZ, contact Elizabeth Paulus, executive director, at ep@collegeboundaz.org, or (602) 550-3161.
Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow Medallion is hidden in Mesa. Clues will be published until the medallion is found by some lucky person. The medallion is approximately 4 inches in diameter and is gold in color.