Jack Hastings

October is here, and it’s the perfect time to get outside, enjoy cooler nights and connect with the community. This year is especially exciting as we welcome the very first Desert Fall Festival, a brand-new tradition you won’t want to miss. From festive activities to family fun, this inaugural event is a great way to celebrate autumn in Surprise.

We’re also looking forward to one of our community’s favorite traditions, the Surprise Fiesta Grande at Mark Coronado Park. This vibrant celebration of culture, food and entertainment is a wonderful way to connect with our community and experience the rich diversity that makes Surprise so special.

I hope you’ll take advantage of these opportunities to come together, enjoy the season, and celebrate everything that makes our city such a great place to live.

Inside This Issue: 

Current Events

• Community Meeting
• City Council Meetings
• Surprise Fiesta Grande
• Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun: Monster Bash
• G.A.I.N. Night
• On Deck Program
• Live at Asante
• Fall Break Camp Registration
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Appointments

News & Updates

• City of Surprise Accepting Veterans Day Parade Entry Applications
• Open Rec Returning
• Free Block Party Trailer Rentals Available
• Arizona Fall League Schedule
• Surprise Seeking Exhibitors and Sponsors for 2025 SciTech Festival
• Surprise Libraries to Celebrate Semiquincentennial with New Reading Program

September Highlights

• Battle of the 303

Save the Date

• November Day of Service
• Sensitive Santa Returns to Surprise Stadium 
• Fire First Fridays

CURRENT EVENTS 

Community Meeting

Please join me for my next community meeting on Saturday, November 1, from 9 - 11 a.m. at Total Wine and More, 13440 N. Prasada Pkwy. See you there!

City Council Meetings

The next City Council Meetings are on October 7 & 21 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the City of Surprise Government Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.

Surprise Fiesta Grande

Join us at Surprise Fiesta Grande on Saturday, October 11, from 5 - 10 p.m. at Mark Coronado Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave.

This vibrant event will feature authentic Mexican food and an exciting lineup of activities and entertainment, including mariachi music, folklórico dancing, a car show, Lucha Libre wrestling, piñata busts, a petting zoo, inflatables and more! 

While admission is free, we will be accepting canned food donations benefitting Valley View Community Food Bank at the entry gate. Please note, there will be metal detectors and bag checks upon entrance. 

For more event details, including the event map, parking information and event day road closures, please visit surpriseaz.gov/FiestaGrande or contact 623.222.2000.

Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun: Monster Bash

Get ready for a ghoulishly good time as Countryside Recreation Center transforms into a festive destination for this year’s Monster Bash event. On Friday, October 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 15038 N. Parkview Pl. Guests will enjoy dancing, games, arts and crafts, exciting STEM activities, delicious snacks and a costume contest featuring six categories: scariest, funniest, cutest, most creative, best overall and family themed.

Pre-registration is encouraged, and space is limited. Registration is required for each entry, including parents. $5 for Surprise residents and $7 for non-residents. Children aged two and under are free.

To register, visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec and click "Special Programs." 

G.A.I.N. Night

On October 25 at Mark Coronado Park join Surprise Police Department and Surprise Fire Medical Department as they host their annual event, ‘Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods’ Night. This event offers plenty of family-friendly activities, from trick-or-treating and laser tag to a DJ and safety displays. Admission is FREE! Learn more at surpriseaz.gov/GAIN.

On Deck Program

On Thursday, October 16, at 6 p.m., aspiring firefighters ages 18 and older have the chance to meet, interact and even train with Surprise Fire-Medical Department members. This is a no-pressure way to learn more about a career in the fire service, gain insights into the testing process and get a great workout.

Advanced registration is encouraged so staff can plan for attendance levels and have your participation waiver on file. For more information and to register, visit surpriseaz.gov/OnDeck.

Live at Asante

LIVE at Asante is a free and casual outdoor performance series at Asante Library for all ages. This America’s 250th celebration series runs the third Thursday of each month through May 2026 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Asante Library, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr. Each event will feature a different genre and include a brief history of its importance in America’s music. Featuring live music provided by On Stage Now, free arts activities and food trucks! Bring your lawn chair, your friends and your family for an evening of entertainment. RSVP recommended at surpriseaz.gov/ArtsSignUp.

Upcoming Performances

• October 16 | Country-Pop | Anjanette Indelicato (opener) and Rhonda Jo and Shawn Royer (headliner)
• November 20 | Acoustic Pop | Abby Walker (opener) and Kenyon France Duo (headliner)
• December 18 | Acoustic Indie Folk | Jerry Scarsbrook (opener) and Jacobe Reinartz Duo (headliner)
• January 15 | Country Roots | JT Sheets (opener) and Cole Clark Duo (headliner)

Fall Break Camp Registration

Looking for somewhere fun for your kids to spend their fall break? The City of Surprise Parks & Recreation Department is excited to offer a one-week Fall Break Camp for youth currently enrolled in kindergarten - 7^th grade. Campers will enjoy daily activities, arts and crafts, games and sports!

Fall Break Camp runs October 13 - 17; Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Sierra Montana Recreation Center - 14861 N. Spring Ln.

Surprise resident registration begins: September 8
 $30 per day | $10 per child registration fee

Non-resident registration begins: September 15
 $34 per day | $30 per child registration fee

To download a registration packet, visit surpriseaz.gov/BreakCamps. Your completed packet must be submitted to the Parks & Recreation Office (15960 N. Bullard Ave.) to finalize registration. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The program will fill quickly, so please register early to ensure a spot!

For more information about Fall Break Camp, please call 623.222.2210 or email troyce.shelton@surpriseaz.gov.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Appointments

Surprise has officially moved the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program to a monthly appointment system. Surprise residents can request an appointment for HHW collection pickup right from their driveway during one week each month.

The collection of these materials is split into two types and scheduled separately. One pick-up is for electronic HHW, including flat-screen TVs, computers and cell phones. Another is for all other HHW.

NEW pickup periods through June 2026:

• October 13-16, 2025
• November 3-6, 2025
• December 2025 – No Pickups
• January 2026 – No Pickups
• February 9-12, 2026
• March 9-12, 2026
• April 13-16, 2026
• May 11-14, 2026
• June 8-11, 2026

For more information on acceptable items, visit surpriseaz.gov/HHW.

To schedule a collection, residents can use the My Surprise app or call customer service at 623.222.1920. All scheduling is based on availability and is first-come, first-served.

NEWS & UPDATES

City of Surprise Accepting Veterans Day Parade Entry Applications

Be part of the annual City of Surprise Veterans Day Parade presented by Toyota of Surprise! The Parks & Recreation Department is now accepting parade entry applications from clubs, organizations, groups and residents who want to show their patriotic spirit and honor those who have bravely served our country.

This year’s event is on Tuesday, November 11, and will be expanded to include live music and activities after the parade as part of our yearlong America 250 Celebration. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will run along Bullard Avenue between Paradise and Tierra Buena lanes. For more information, head to surpriseaz.gov/VeteransDay. 

To register, head to surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec and click on ‘Special Events.’ Entry applications are due by Friday, October 31. There is no fee to participate.

For more information, please contact Eddie Lovett at 623.222.2287 or eddie.lovett@surpriseaz.gov.

Open Rec Returning

The City of Surprise is excited to bring back Open Rec at Sierra Montana Recreation Center starting Monday, October 20! Youth currently in 5^th - 8^thgrade are invited to play games, complete a craft and enjoy our recently remodeled Teen Lounge space with new arcade games, video games and a fun hangout space.

Open Rec will be on Mondays from 1 - 5 p.m. on the following dates, October through December: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15. Sierra Montana Recreation Center is located at 14861 N. Spring Ln.

To register, visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec and click “Teens.”

Free Block Party Trailer Rentals Available

What better way to get to know your neighbors than by throwing a great party? Surprise offers free rentals of a Block Party Trailer, and we’ll even deliver it to you! 

The block party trailer includes chairs, tables, coolers, canopy tents, sports equipment, games, music and public announcement system and a generator. City staff will deliver the trailer and be present during the event.

Applicants may also receive a reimbursement of up to $150 that can be used toward qualifying expenses to help pay for food or party amenities and entertainment. Approved applicants will receive a Block Party Kit, which includes flyers to help spread the word about your party.

Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance and are granted on a first come, first served basis. Once approved, you can start planning your party!

Learn more at surpriseaz.gov/BlockParty. 

Arizona Fall League Schedule

The Surprise Saguaros, one of the league's six competitive teams, will launch their season on Wednesday, October 8, at Surprise Stadium. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating lineup featuring top prospects from the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies organizations. This season promises to showcase the future stars of Major League Baseball (MLB), making it a must-see event for baseball enthusiasts.

The Saguaros will compete against the Glendale Desert Dogs, Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Javelinas, Salt River Rafters and Scottsdale Scorpions, each team assembling the top prospects from each of the remaining 25 MLB clubs.

Find more information on the schedule and how to get tickets/season passes here: bit.ly/4p5rJ2d

Surprise Seeking Exhibitors and Sponsors for 2025 SciTech Festival

The City of Surprise is now accepting applications for event exhibitors and sponsors for the 2025 SciTech Festival, a Signature Event of the Arizona SciTech Festival. The event will take place on Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Surprise Recreation Campus, 15960 N. Bullard Ave.

The last SciTech Festival drew over 1,700 science enthusiasts of all ages, who enjoyed robotics presentations, live science shows, fun experiments and engaging STEAM-related (science, technology, engineering, art and math) experiences. This year’s event will also feature a job and apprenticeship fair, connecting attendees with career and training opportunities in STEAM fields.

You can find more information about participating in the 2025 Surprise SciTech Festival, including an online application for exhibitors at surpriseaz.gov/SciTech.

For more information, or to participate as a sponsor, please contact 623.222.1647 or kara.poling@surpriseaz.gov.

Surprise Libraries to Celebrate Semiquincentennial with New Reading Program

The Surprise Public Library System is excited to announce a new reading program in celebration of America’s 250^th – Stars & Stories. The program will run from October 1, 2025 - July 4, 2026.

Readers will be awarded fun badges and prizes, based on minutes read. The goal is to read 1,776 minutes over the next nine months in honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Prizes will include books, American flags, challenge coins and patriotic swag!

Visit the Stars & Stories reading program webpage to register and learn more about the program: 1776.surprisepubliclibrary.gov.

Check out more Surprise America 250 library events at SurprisePublicLIbrary.gov/Programs, search America 250.

The City of Surprise has numerous opportunities to participate in events and activities until the big anniversary on July 4, 2026. Learn about all the great events at surpriseaz.gov/America250.

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Battle of the 303

On Friday, September 19, I got to attend the annual Battle of the 303 at Valley Vista High School. It was an honor to be there with Mayor Sartor and Councilmember Haney to witness the fierce competition between Valley Vista and Shadow Ridge’s high school football teams.

Not only was I on the field where I once played and attended, but I got to see the next generation of athletes from our city giving it their all.

If you ever get the chance, come out and support the amazing sports teams we have here in Surprise—you won’t regret it!

SAVE THE DATE

November Day of Service

Join our next Day of Service on Saturday, November 15, from 8 - 11 a.m. at Surprise City Hall in the Community Room. Volunteers of all ages will assemble care bags, hygiene kits and holiday cards for deployed service members, and support the unhoused and at-risk veterans.

There is also a donation drive to support this event. It runs November 1 - 14. Items needed include snacks, travel-size toiletries, puzzle books, tape and more. 

For drop-off locations, a full list of items needed, more details and Day of Service event registration, please visit surpriseaz.gov/DayOfService.

Sensitive Santa Returns to Surprise Stadium

The City of Surprise is excited to present the fourth annual Sensitive Santa Experience, in partnership with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix and T.E.A.M. 4 Kids, celebrating their 12^th annual event. This sensory-friendly celebration is designed for individuals with special needs, offering a calm environment free of long lines, bright lights and loud noises.

Saturday, December 13 | Surprise Stadium, 15850 N. Bullard Ave.

While waiting for their private visit with Santa, families can enjoy games, crafts, snacks and vendor booths. An ASL interpreter will be available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Admission is $5 per family. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information or to reserve your spot, visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec and click "Adaptive." For assistance or more information, email ashley.stevens@surpriseasz.gov or call 623.222.2284.

Fire First Fridays

The Surprise Fire-Medical Department is offering free life-saving knowledge and training. These classes aim to provide attendees with basic emergency response training in a comfortable and stress-free environment so community members will know how to start helping while waiting for emergency crews. Please note the registration forms below are only open two weeks before the class date.

To register and get more information, visit surpriseaz.gov/FireFirstFridays. Please note, registration forms open two weeks before the class date. The maximum class size is 40 people for each session. Participants must be 12 years old or older, and a registered adult must accompany attendees aged 12 - 17.