Good morning, Mesa. Friday is Juneteenth, so the schools are closed for the long weekend.
- 🎓 Free community college tuition closes Monday. The Mesa College Promise covers two years at MCC for 2026 grads and residents 25 and up.
- 📚 Local Author Book Fair at the Main library Saturday. Children's and young-adult writers, with books for sale and signing.
- 🎸 The Arizona Punk Festival hits Nile Theater Saturday. A bill of Arizona punk bands in downtown Mesa.
- 🛍️ Mission Square Marketplace Saturday. An indoor market of local makers at Mesa Social Club.
- 🏠 Mesa homes now take about 55 days to sell. The median sale price sits near $452,500, about flat from a year ago.
- ⚾ Around the Valley. The Diamondbacks host the Twins at Chase Field, plus The Moth and Shrek.
Two years of college, free, if you apply by Monday
Mesa Community College is taking applications through Monday for the Mesa College Promise, which pays two years of tuition and fees at MCC.
Key facts:
- Deadline: online applications close Monday, June 22, for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Who qualifies: eligible 2026 Mesa high school graduates, and eligible Mesa residents who are 25 or older.
- What it covers: two years of tuition and fees at Mesa Community College.
For a recent graduate, or an adult heading back to finish a degree, that takes the cost of community college off the table for two years. Details and the application link.
The window is short. Applications stop Monday.
The weekend
Friday, June 19
- 🎨 Juneteenth craft at the Main library. Learn the history of the holiday and make a craft, 10:15 a.m., family event. Details.
Saturday, June 20
- 📚 Local Author Book Fair, Main library, 10 a.m. Children's and young-adult authors, with books for sale and signing. Details.
- 🛍️ Mission Square Marketplace at Mesa Social Club. An indoor market of local makers and small businesses. Details.
- 🎸 The Arizona Punk Festival at Nile Theater. A bill of state punk bands at the downtown Mesa venue. Details.
- 🏠 Buying or selling a home seminar, Dobson Ranch branch, 10 a.m. A free walk-through of the process and the current market. Details.
- 🧱 LEGO build at the Dobson Ranch branch, 10 a.m. Open building for kids, blocks provided. Details.
- 🎲 Dungeons & Dragons at THINKspot Main, 3:30 p.m. Learn with an experienced player or run your own table. New players welcome. Details.
Around Mesa
Around the Valley
A few picks worth leaving Mesa for this weekend.
⚾ Diamondbacks vs. Twins, Chase Field. Friday, 6:40 p.m. An easy Friday night under the lights downtown. Tickets.
🎙️ The Moth: American Dream, Crescent Ballroom. Tonight, 8 p.m. True stories told live, no notes. Tickets.
🎭 Valley Youth Theatre: Shrek The Musical, Herberger Theater. Friday, 7 p.m. A kid-cast take on the show, good for families. Tickets.
🎶 3BallMTY, The Van Buren. Tonight, 8 p.m. The Monterrey trio that popularized tribal guarachero. Tickets.