Valley memorials:
What to expect this week at services in Phoenix.
Thousands of Arizonans are expected to attend memorial services for the late U.S. Sen. John McCain this week.
McCain will have two services in Arizona: Today, there will be a public viewing at the state Capitol, where McCain’s body will lie in state.
On Thursday, a formal memorial will be held at North Phoenix Baptist Church.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about tributes to the senator.
Today’s viewing Where will McCain’s casket be displayed?
McCain’s body will rest under the copper-domed rotunda at the old state Capitol building, 1700 W. Washington St. It’s not yet known which entrance the public will use to enter the building.
How will the memorials begin?
A private ceremony is planned in the Capitol rotunda at 10 a.m. today. Speakers will include Gov. Doug Ducey and former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl. U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake will offer a benediction and former U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe will present a wreath.
Can the public attend today’s events?
Yes. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects during a public viewing starting at 2 p.m.
The Capitol will stay open until everyone in line has had a chance to participate.
The tribute will be livestreamed at johnmccain.com.
How long will the lines be?
Thousands of Arizonans are expected to attend. Be prepared to wait in line for an extended period of time. The line is likely to stretch outside, where there isn’t shade.
Where should I park?
Several parking lots directly around the Capitol are reserved for VIP and media parking. However, the state has opened additional lots in the surrounding area.
A detailed map of parking lots and street closures is online on the Department of Public Safety’s website.
Parking will be extremely limited, so consider carpooling or using a rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber. Information on bus routes is available at valleymetro.org/maps-schedules. Bus routes will be detoured around the Capitol.
How do I get there?
From the East Valley, take Interstate 10 west and exit at the 19th Avenue offramp. Turn south on 19th Avenue and proceed until you arrive at the Capitol complex, between Washington and Jefferson streets.
From the West Valley, take Interstate 10 east and exit at the 19th Avenue offramp. Turn south on 19th and proceed until you arrive at the Capitol complex.
From north Phoenix, take Interstate 17 south and exit at the 23rd Avenue offramp. Turn east on Jefferson Street and proceed until the Capitol complex.
Thursday service in north Phoenix How can I get a ticket?
Tickets to the memorial service were no longer available as of Tuesday afternoon.
For those with tickets, the service is 10 a.m. Thursday at North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave.
Anyone who receives a ticket will be notified by email.
Attendees must be seated by no later than 9:30 a.m.
For those without tickets, the public is welcome to line nearby streets to observe a motorcade escorting McCain’s body and his family to the memorial service. It will depart from the state Capitol around 9:15 a.m.
The procession, which is expected to last about 30 minutes, will proceed along a set route:
❚ Northbound 17th Avenue to Westbound Adams Street
❚ Westbound Adams Street to Northbound Interstate 17
❚ Northbound Interstate 17 to Eastbound Camelback Road
❚ Eastbound Camelback Road to Northbound Central Avenue.
❚ Northbound Central Avenue to North Phoenix Baptist Church.
After the service, McCain’s body will be taken to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for a private ceremony with active-duty National Guard members and their families.
McCain’s family will then fly with his casket to Washington, D.C., where another memorial is planned. The senator will be buried Sunday.