2023 Founders' Day Parade & Festivities

MARANA- Celebrate the Town of Marana’s birthday with us at this year’s Founders’ Day Parade and Festivities.

The event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023 downtown Marana with the parade on Marana Main Street. The theme this year is “Western Heritage.”

You are encouraged to get there early to secure your spot along the parade route on Marana Main Street and on W. Civic Center Drive. The parade will take place from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

The Marana Police Department will close the main intersections into the MMC Campus at 9:45 a.m. along the parade route. Please be parked before 9:45 that morning.

New this year: MHC Healthcare’s Copper Cafe will be OPEN for the first time before the parade from 8-10:00 a.m. for guests coming to line up on Marana Main Street. MHC Healthcare’s Copper Cafe is located on the first floor of Marana Main Health Center facing Marana Main Street.

IMPORTANT: The Marana Municipal Complex is located at 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, AZ, 85653. GET DIRECTIONS HERE. Please use the MARANA ROAD exit (236) if you are coming to the event via Interstate 10. Please avoid the Tangerine exit due to another major event in the area that day.

You can park at the MHC Healthcare parking lot or any open dirt lot in the areas along Marana Main Street.

Community Cultural Performances this year:

Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona

Tucson Chinese Cultural Center

Two youth non-profit organizations will be performing during the festivities after the parade. Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona will perform at noon and the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center at 1:00 p.m. CDFA is composed of six different levels (ranging from the age of four years old to college-age students) and close to 150 dancers performing traditional Mexican folklore dances. The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center returns to celebrate Marana's Chinese heritage by performing the good-luck dance called, "The Lion Dance." These performances will take place in front of the Marana Police Department plaza in the MMC courtyard.

Live Music:

Popular local band, Jesse Colt Band, will be performing on our main stage from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the festival.  Originally hailing from El Paso, the band specializes in Sonoran Country with a twist which includes the country and rock genres and Cumbia, Tejano, and Norteña.

2023 FOUNDERS’ DAY EVENT DETAILS

2023 Founders’ Day Press Release

2022 FOUNDER’S DAY PHOTO GALLERY