Hance Park in Phoenix to host free festival leading up to the Super Bowl

PHOENIX — People will be able to enjoy a free festival at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix during the week leading up to the Super Bowl, the host committee announced this week.

The festival will offer different genres of live music and entertainment for each day and night that it’s open, as well as incorporate diverse cultural experiences, Jay Parry, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Attendees can also enjoy local cuisine and food trucks at the event that promises to appeal to people of all ages.

“We want everyone to come down and be able to create those Super Bowl memories with their family, with their friends and have a great time celebrating the Super Bowl,” Parry said.

“We’re excited that the residents of Arizona will come and participate in this as well as all the visitors that we know will come to town for the big game.”

The festival will be similar to the event that was held in downtown Phoenix the last time the Super Bowl was in the Valley in 2015, but this time around it will be on a much grander scale.

“Our goal is to make sure this time it’s an even bigger and better experience for everyone that comes down to attend,” Parry said.

Also returning is the NFL’s Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center, about a mile away from the outdoor festival at Hance Park.

Among the activities available at the Super Bowl Experience are interactive games, youth football clinics and the chance to get autographs from current NFL players and legends, the host committee said.

“Downtown Phoenix has changed a lot since the last big game,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in a press release. “We look forward to visitors experiencing the growth of business, restaurants, arts, entertainment, and our massively improved transportation.

“This festival builds on the fan experience which will showcase our city to thousands of people. They’ll discover why we are the fastest-growing big city in America.”

Parry said the host committee will announce other events around the Valley, including in Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe, heading into the fall and leading up to the big game in February.

“The idea is to have a Valley-wide takeover so that whenever you get to Arizona, or if you live here, you know you’re at the Super Bowl that week leading up to the game,” Parry said.

People will be able to follow the latest on events for the Super Bowl and other information on the host committee’s website.

Parry added the website also has information on how to become a volunteer as there is a need for 5,000 people to work in the months leading up to the game and help with preparations.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Daniel Pike contributed to this report.

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