As November rolls in and temperatures finally cool down, it is the perfect time to get out and enjoy. With Thanksgiving approaching, it's also a time to give thanks for our community and the beautiful landscape that surrounds us. Whether you’re hiking, attending local events or simply enjoying the weather, November is a wonderful time to appreciate all that Surprise has to offer.
The next City Council Meeting is on November 19 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.
My next monthly Community Meetings will be on November 19 at 10 a.m. at The Grand in the Agua Fria Room, 17100 W. Clearview Blvd., and on November 22 at 10 a.m. at Arizona Traditions in the Ballroom, 17221 N. Citrus Rd. As promised, sign language interpreters will be at all my Community Meetings at The Grand this year. I look forward to discussing the latest City news and answering any questions you have.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me anytime at aly.cline@surpriseaz.gov or by calling 623.222.1322. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for frequent notifications. To receive my newsletters by email each month, please visit surpriseaz.gov/Subscribeand sign in or create an account. Then select text and/or email for "District 2 Council Updates" and any other news you may want to receive.
Get ready for a free, outdoor entertainment series for all ages! LIVE at Asante is a casual performance series offering live music, engaging art activities and delicious food trucks. Join us on select Thursday nights from 6 - 8 p.m. at Asante Library, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr., to enjoy a variety of talented local artists. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and friends for a fun-filled evening under the stars.
Upcoming Performances
While an RSVP is not required, it is highly recommended to receive event updates and to allow our Arts, Culture & Library Department and partners to plan for activities. Head to surpriseaz.gov/ArtsSignUp to RSVP. For more information or more arts and cultural events in Surprise, please visit surpriseaz.gov/ArtEvents.
Join us on Sunday, November 10, for another Sunday in the Park featuring live music by Yachtzilla, a variety of food trucks, a shopping market, an assortment of beers and wines, and family friendly activities for all ages. Admission is free; food and drinks will be available for purchase. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and don’t forget all dogs must be leashed!
This event will take place at Mark Coronado Park (15850 N. Bullard Ave.) from 3 - 7 p.m.
To see the list of upcoming events, visit surpriseaz.gov/SpecialEvents.
Join us in honoring our service men and women at the 10th annual City of Surprise Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will be routed along Bullard Avenue between Paradise and Tierra Buena lanes. It will feature community floats, bands, dancers and more! This event has become a tradition in Surprise, honoring the men and women in uniform who have selflessly served our country.
If you’re arriving early to get a spot, there’s an option to purchase breakfast and coffee from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at Surprise Stadium in the centerfield plaza. This year’s breakfast is $10 and will be proudly served by the Surprise Police Department.
The City of Surprise Veterans Day Parade is presented by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department and WM, formerly Waste Management. It is sponsored, in part, by Banner Health Del E. Webb Medical Center, Sanderson Ford and Sanderson Lincoln.
Join us for our annual SciTech Festival on Saturday, November 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mark Coronado Park parking lot, 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
This free, fun-filled and educational event celebrates STEAM in a fun and interactive environment. Technology and our daily interactions with it continue to grow exponentially. This SciTech Festival aims to inspire our future and current and workforce to seek careers in STEAM fields and showcase the local businesses and organizations already making great strides in these fields.
Looking for somewhere fun for your kids to spend their Thanksgiving break? The City of Surprise Parks & Recreation Department is excited to offer a three-day Thanksgiving Break Camp for youth currently enrolled in kindergarten - 8th grade. Campers will enjoy daily activities, arts and crafts, games and sports.
The camp will be held November 25 - 27 (Monday through Wednesday) from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Sierra Montana Recreation Center - 14861 N. Spring Ln. Registration is now open.
To download a registration packet, visit surpriseaz.gov/BreakCamps. To finalize registration, a completed registration packet and your child's immunization records must be turned into the Parks & Recreation office, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
There are a limited number of spots available, and they will fill quickly, so please register early. For more information about Thanksgiving Break Camp, please call 623.222.2210 or email susan.dangerfield@surpriseaz.gov
If you are a Homeowners Association (HOA) community member, condominium board member or property manager in Surprise, you are encouraged to attend the HOA Summit on Wednesday, November 20, from 6 - 8 p.m. inside City Hall Chambers,16000 N. Civic Center Plz.
Attendees will have a chance to learn about community resources, housing trends and hear expert presentations geared specifically for HOA board members, property management teams and homeowners.
Hear presentations from and interact with City staff from our recycling program, Surprise Police Department and code enforcement. Then, Beth Mulcahy, Esq. of the Mulcahy Law Firm, P.C., will join us for an informative class on Arizona’s HOA and condo laws, including many current topics such as new legislation and enforcement of governing documents. There will also be time for Q&A at the end of the class.
Registration is required at surpriseaz.gov/HOASummit. For more information, please contact Atour Bethishou at 623.222.1612 or email Atour.Bethishou@surpriseaz.gov.
The City has many ways you can enjoy the arts and culture scene in our community. From live music, theater performances, gallery tours and more, there is something for you to explore!
LIVE at Asante | Kenyon France and Paige June with WHAM Activity
November 7 • 6 - 8 p.m.
Lunchtime Theater | Q’iru Duet: Latin-American Music*
November 14 • Noon - 1 p.m.
*Registration required.
Find details and sign-up information at surpriseaz.gov/ArtEvents.
Mayor Skip Hall officially proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the City Council Meeting on October 1. As part of the proclamation, Mayor Hall urged the community to raise awareness about this issue and work together to eliminate domestic violence in our city.
The color purple symbolizes the national effort to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). During this year’s national “Wear Purple Day” on October 17, City staff wore purple, and our community was encouraged to take part in this visible way to show support for victims and the numerous organizations that provide advocacy and assistance to them. Our community saw both Surprise City Hall and the City’s Public Safety Building lit purple each evening during the entire month in support of DVAM.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you are encouraged to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit TheHotline.org.
Mayor Hall, Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic and I joined business owner Sam Thiara for the grand opening of his new McDonald's in Surprise on October 2! At the ribbon cutting Mr. Thiara also graciously donated $20,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona. Mayor Hall and Mr. Thiara spoke at the event, as did Dr. Ed Ackerly of Ackerley Advertising, and Len Gutman, Chief Development and Marketing Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona. So excited to welcome Mr. Thiara and his team to Surprise!
On October 2, I spoke to a group of remarkable teens at the Surprise Teen Summit. The summit's purpose is to bring Surprise teens together to foster leadership skills, empower them for life beyond high school and promote personal growth and self-reflection. The event was tailored to create opportunities for connection, collaboration and skill development to prepare them for the future. Thank you to the Parks & Recreation Department for putting together such a fulfilling event.
On October 3, I attended the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Domestic Violence Council, where all members were encouraged to wear purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Committee's 25th anniversary.
Across the region, people from all walks of life are honoring the courage of survivors and those who help them. Here is to 25 more years of raising awareness about the importance of continuing this vital work!
Mayor Skip Hall proclaimed October to be Disability Employment Awareness Month in Surprise at the City Council meeting on October 15, celebrating the value and talent workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy.
The proclamation was accepted by members of our City’s Veterans, Disability & Human Services Commission, as well as the owners and some staff of Spencer's Place – a local coffee shop that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
On Thursday, October 24, Vice Mayor Haney and I had the privilege of attending the Butterfly Garden Dedication Ceremony in Arizona Traditions. This project is a budding partnership between the Landscape Committee, the Desert Botanical Garden and the City of Surprise. It was finally able to take flight thanks to the Neighborhood Grant funding the City awarded this project. Thank you to the Garden Club for inviting me and asking me to speak!
Mayor Hall and I joined General Manager Stephanie Voigt and her team to for a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of their new Lou Malnati's in Surprise on October 25! At the event, Lou Malnati's generously donated $5,000 to Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Centers, with Randy Spencer, Consultant and Community Partnerships for the organization, accepting the contribution on their behalf. Additionally, Lou Malnati's presented a $1,000 donation to the Shadow Ridge High School Pom Team, which was gratefully accepted by team members. We are ecstatic to welcome this great community partner and delicious dining option to our community!
The City of Surprise is thrilled to invite local businesses, outreach organizations and promotional vendors to participate in the annual Surprise Party holiday event, taking place Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7, from 5 - 9 p.m. at the Surprise Recreation Campus, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
Surprise Party is one of the city’s largest and most popular community events, offering two nights of festive fun and entertainment for the whole family. Attendees will enjoy holiday-themed festivities, including a tree lighting ceremony, live music, arts and crafts and visits with Santa Claus. The event is expected to draw thousands of residents and visitors from across the community.
Vendors are invited to be part of this exciting celebration by hosting a promotional booth. Fees are $750 for business vendors and $150 for non-profits. Each booth includes a 10x10 vendor tent, one table and two chairs. Vendors are required to attend both nights of the event as part of their registration. Please note that registration is for promotional purposes only and is not intended for the sale of goods or services. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged!
To secure your spot, visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec then click the “Special Events” tab. Vendors can also register by calling 623.222.2000.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with the Surprise community and spread holiday cheer!
