Who’s ready to enjoy billboard hits live in Surprise?! Check out Bases and Brews Fest, March 24-26. This family-friendly festival is at Mark Coronado Park next to Surprise Stadium, 15850 N. Bullard Ave., and will be featuring national and local award-winning entertainment, thrilling performers, exhilarating midway rides and games, classic festival food and interactive activities for all ages.
Saturday, March 25: Andy Grammer co-headlining with Chris Lane
Sunday, March 26: WALK THE MOON with special guest lovelytheband
Bases and Brews Music Fest hours are as follows:
Friday, March 24: 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Saturday, March 25: 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Sunday, March 26: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
For more information on ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities and the festival schedule, please visit BasesandBrewsFest.com.
Top 25 Champion School
Mayor Hall, Vice Mayor Judd, Councilmember Haney, Councilmember Cline and I had a great time on Monday, February 6, supporting the Valley Vista High School Special Olympics Unified Team at an event held by the NFL and ESPN. This team was named a Top 25 Champion School in the nation. Congratulations!
Surprise Youth Council recruitment
The City is recruiting new members for the Surprise Youth Council (SYC) – a group of trailblazing teens who are making a difference in their community! SYC members serve the community by collaborating with local leaders, including Mayor and City Council, to give a voice on City issues and help solve youth issues through awareness campaigns, service projects and community-building events. Students who are currently in grades 7-11 may apply, as long as they reside in or are attending a middle school or high school within Surprise city limits; or are attending a Dysart Unified School District high school.
Applications are being accepted through April 14 and consist of a video submission, no longer than 90 seconds, and a Parent Acknowledgement Form.
Your video should include the following information:
Your name, current grade and school you attend
Why you want to be on the SYC
If you could bring one thing to this city or change one thing, what would it be? What can you and a group like SYC do about it?
Of these three words: fearless, creative, hardworking – which one best describes you and why? Briefly tell us about a time you were fearless, creative or hardworking.
Applicants can submit the Parent Acknowledgement Form and completed video at surpriseaz.gov/SYC.
For questions or more information, please contact Teen Programs at 623.222.8336 or visit surpriseaz.gov/SYC.
It's budget building season!
The City of Surprise FY2024 budget building process has begun. The Recommended Budget is scheduled for release in April, followed by Council and public review that will result in the adoption of a balanced FY2024 budget in June. All meetings are carried live on Surprise TV for cable customers and streamed online at surpriseaz.gov/surpriseTV. Additionally, each of the staff budget presentations will be linked at surpriseaz.gov/budget the day following the talks. Learn more here.
State of the City
I’d like to invite you to attend the 2023 State of the City event, including a video presentation sharing the story of Surprise. From the chapters already written to the ones yet to be penned, this plot is worth turning the page for! Stay afterwards for a celebration that includes a showcase of the City’s programs and services, including police and fire vehicle displays!
We will also have entertainment from some of our Dysart Unified Schools and City-run specialty classes, as well as complimentary refreshments.
Here are the event details:
Thursday, March 30
Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plz. Parking Map
6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. State of the City Video Premiere, Council Chambers*
6:30 - 8 p.m. City Showcase, City Hall First Floor & Outside Courtyard
With the launch of a new Surprise Public Library System, Surprise is asking residents of all ages to help design the new library cards! Submit a design in one of three age categories: Youth (10 and under), Teen (11-17) and Adult (18 and over). One winner will be chosen from each category.
Beginning, July 1, library patrons will be able to choose from one of the winning card designs, or a standard logo card, for use at the three City of Surprise libraries – Asante, Hollyhock and Northwest/Surprise Regional. Download the design template and submission form at surpriseaz.gov/library and then submit your card design in one of the following ways:
In person: Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plz., Surprise, AZ 85374; Attention: Kelsey Lamphier
By email: library@surpriseaz.gov (If selected, winner will be asked to provide original artwork.)
For questions about the library card design contest, please email library@surpriseaz.gov or call 623.222.2900.
Eggstravaganza vendors wanted
The City of Surprise invites interested outreach organizations, promotional vendors and local businesses to participate in our Eggstravaganza event this spring! The event is free and features fun for the whole family. Residents will enjoy inflatables, face painting, a special appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Bunny and a series of egg hunts filled with fun toys and treats.
Eggstravaganza is Saturday, April 8, from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Surprise Recreation Campus located at 15850 N. Bullard Ave. The promotional booth fee is $500 for business vendors and $150 for non-profits. This includes a 10x10 vendor tent, one table and two chairs. Please note space is limited!
To reserve your spot, go to surpriseaz.gov/surpriserec where you can create an account for your organization if you haven’t already, then click the ‘Special Events’ tab where you can register. You can also call 623.222.2000.
Surprise restaurant list
Are you looking to discover new places to dine in Surprise? In a community growing as quickly as ours, there are frequent updates to the ever-expanding list of restaurants in the community, so we’ve compiled a list to help you spot your new favorite joint! Check out the latest list here.
Surprise Stadium special events & promos
Resident Appreciation Days courtesy of Fat Cats: now through March 11
College Days – college student discount during Spring Break! March 5 - 19
Pup Nights at Surprise Stadium: March 8 & 23 Purchase here
Sunday Funday Family Four Pack for $44 (Every Sunday)
Kids Run the Bases presented by Uptown Alley (Every Sunday)
Military & First Responder Appreciation Days (Every Sunday)
For Spring Training tickets and more information on the events listed above, head to SurpriseStadium.com.
Poetry, art and more!
Are you ready to discover arts and culture events in Surprise? From theater performances, gallery tours, poetry readings and more, make sure to mark your calendar to attend!
March Events
March 9 • 10 - 11 a.m.
Public Art Tour of City Hall
March 16 • Noon
Lunchtime Theater – West Valley Symphony Jam Session | Arts HQ, $15
April Events
April 6 • 12 - 1 p.m.
Lunchtime Theater – Salty Dawgs Calypso and Folk Music
April 11 • 11 - 12 p.m.
AZ Speaks - “Growing in the Desert: The History & Culture of the Tohono O’odham”
April 15 • 11 - 3 p.m.
Public Art Bus Tour to "Cowgirl Up!" exhibit
April 21 • 6 - 8 p.m.
Poetry Slam at WHAM
All dates and times are subject to change. All events are free unless otherwise stated. To register for Public Art Tours and AZ Speaks presented by Arizona Humanities, head to surpriseaz.gov/artssignup. For Lunchtime Theater, contact Arts HQ at 623.584.2626 or visit westvalleyarts.org/theater. To learn more about Poetry Slam, contact WHAM at 623.584.8311 or visit wham-art.org/poetry. Want to see what else is on the 2022-2023 arts & culture calendar? All events are listed online at surpriseaz.gov/arts.
Community Meeting
Please join me for my next Community Meeting on Tuesday, March 14, at 6 p.m. at State 48 Brewery, 13823 W. Bell Rd. I look forward to discussing the latest City issues and answering any questions you might have.
City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled Council meetings are on March 7 and 21 at 6 p.m. in the City of Surprise Council Chambers, located at 16000 N. Civic Center Plz. City Council meetings are open to in-person attendance, or you may tune in on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise or on Cox channel 11 to watch the meetings live.
