dj snow Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 This coming Monday, June 12, a 12-mile-long section of the San Tan Freeway will open to traffic here in the greater Phoenix metro area. It completes a connection between US 60 and I-10, so it will serve as a fairly popular corridor. A tradition here (I'm not sure if it happens anywhere else) is to have festivals on newly completed sections of highway, before they open to traffic. Wednesday, June 7, was the day for this festival, dubbed "Sundown on the San Tan." And now, enjoy some photos from this unusual event. Finally, the evening ended with fireworks. And in just a few days, these lanes will be full of briskly-moving traffic! Where's Triumph the Insult Comic Dog when you need him? This stage setup (and its musical entertainment) was better than the other. There was also live "entertainment." Moving on, we find one of several inflatable zones. Finally, it's time for the ceremonial ribbon cutting, with yet another mascot making a cameo. The Gov' hangs out with Highway Hawk. Here's my favorite mascot, though. Her name is (are you ready?)... Debris Marie. Hey, it's Gateway Gus, the nearby airport's mascot! The governor meets some horses. No, this isn't a horrible accident scene--Arizona Highway Patrol simply had some of their fleet on display. Chipotle had a table to give out free chips & guac. Free Bomb Pops from the Blue Bunny carts! Various booths and displays were set up on the westbound lanes. Lots of people brought their bikes, skateboards, scooters and such to enjoy this rare opportunity. Cars parked on the shoulder and the median, then it was time for their occupants to walk to the good times! This section of the highway was open to traffic (but only at 20 MPH) so that we could get to the party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATman Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Imagine if they did this in LA... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete4winds Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 OK, I think I've now officially "seen it all." A block party on a freeway. Imagine that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreatOne Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I knew exactly where this was before I even click on the thread. I always found these things hilarious during my 18 months in PHX. I wish I would've attended one just so I could talk about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I'm throwing a kegger on I-75 later . [/sarcasm] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhishyBrewer Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Has anyone seen the movie "True Stories"??? I didn't know that town still existed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haiderodes Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 When they were building our "beltway", they used to have events like this when started opening sections. Most of the time they were tied into foot or bicycle races for a particular charity, but they had booths and various things to do on the freeway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frade Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Cool event, lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandaman Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I'm throwing a kegger on I-75 later . [/sarcasm] I'll throw one at this end... might as well make it a literally "inter-state" event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Dude, remind me not to go to Phoenix all of those huge furry creatures scare me...especially the governor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturday97 Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 Those freeway parties are a cultural oddity. I love AZ freakishness! As a former Gilbert resident (Germann), I'm just happy this is done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movieguy Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 Wow...Arizona sure has a lot of furry mascots. I'm having flashbacks from that South Park episode, "Sexual Harassment Panda." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J man Posted June 11, 2006 Share Posted June 11, 2006 When did Arizona get mascots? I've never seen any of them before. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj snow Posted June 11, 2006 Author Share Posted June 11, 2006 You're just not going to the right parties, J Man. 'Tis a shame you missed out on all that furry action! That Debris Marie is quite the looker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted June 11, 2006 Share Posted June 11, 2006 In 1993 when they connected the Simi Valley Freeway and the Moorpark Freeway out here in Ventura County, people were allowed to line up to be the "first" to drive on the new section. I was one of them. There was no party, but they did give out free Bott's Dots (those white ceramic dots that they glue to the roads out here). I use mine as a paperweight. But that party on your freeway looked like it was great! Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel127 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 We have mascots?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiCoastal Kid Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Has anyone seen the movie "True Stories"??? I didn't know that town still existed. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! YES! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanskyline1235 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Hmm.. I'm glad I didn't go! I would've faced the heat to hang with people in odd costumes! All we need now is the very last part of the 202 Santan (which I believe is the US60 interchange?), and then the 202 South Mountain segment, and we have a complete beltway system. Nothing to cheer about, I know. After all, it is the wrong direction for Phoenix to be heading in, but at least ADOT is finally getting something done. --Cody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAYASHI Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 wow.. haha .thats amazing. at first i thought it was a joke, and the clebration meant just driving through the stretch of road. haha only in arizona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj snow Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 Has anyone seen the movie "True Stories"??? I didn't know that town still existed. Good call. As a matter of fact, these folks were singing "People Like Us." Okay, not really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECZenith Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Debris Marie? That's so bad it's great! I definately have a new nickname for a coworker of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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