Food, fun and mass transit – hey now!

I just got word that light rail officials will be hosting “rail parties” around the Valley for the grand opening of the 20.4-mile track on Dec. 27.

At every METRO station, residents will find nine major fiestas that include music, street performers and food. Given the current economic climate, we should take every chance we get at a free meal, because who knows when the next one’s coming, right?

Anyways, on to more positive things. The parties will be held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., with free rides on the rail up until 8 p.m. The free rides will continue until Dec. 31.

Here’s the lineup of public parties, from west Phoenix to Mesa:

• 19th Avenue and Montebello Road, “A Better Tomorrow Starts Today,” sponsored by Arizona Public Service Co.,
• Thomas Road and Central Avenue, “Health and Wellness,” sponsored by St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center,
• Encanto Park and Central Avenue, “Arts and Culture,” sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona,
• Third Street between Jefferson and Washington streets, “Phoenix Rising,” sponsored by CityScape,
• 44th and Washington streets, “Sky Harbor Community,” sponsored by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,
• Priest Drive and Washington Street, “Papago Park Celebration,” sponsored by Salt River Project,
• Mill Avenue and Third Street, “Mill Avenue Experience,” sponsored by Hayden Ferry,
• Fifth Street and Veterans Way, “Destination Tempe,” sponsored by Gray Development, Avenue Communities and Aloft Tempe,
• Sycamore and Main streets, “It All Starts Here,” sponsored by SRP.

For more info, click here.