Surprise City Councilmember Johnny V. Melton
Courtesy city of Surprise
By Johnny V. Melton
I want to thank those who attended my first community meeting, we had a great discussion with our Surprise Fire-Medical Department. I look forward to my next meeting, helping to provide the information that residents seek. Please take a moment to read all the wonderful events our City offers, thank you.
CURRENT EVENTS
Community Meeting
My next community meeting will be on Wednesday, March 26, from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Sun Village, Ocotillo Room 17300 N. Sun Village Pkwy.
City Council Meetings
The next City Council Meeting is on March 18 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 Spring Training 5K &1K Fun Run
TONIGHT! Lace up and join the fun at Surprise Stadium on Friday, March 7, with the 7th Annual Surprise Spring Training 5K and 1K Fun Run. The run/walk will begin at 7 p.m. at Surprise Stadium and take you on a scenic, evening route through the city of Surprise before heading back to the ballpark to cross the finish line at the field!
Day of registration is 5K: $40 and 1K: $20. Head to SurpriseStadium.com/Events.
Aquatic Certification Courses for Summer Employment
The summer job search starts now, and the City of Surprise is looking for new members of our aquatics team! The Parks & Recreation Department is holding several low-cost training opportunities to get you certified and ready to apply to make a splash this summer!
Why be a lifeguard?
- Fun, rewarding and flexible – Watch a video of our team!
- Starting pay for lifeguards is $16.53
Lifeguard Certification Courses
- March 10 -13
- March 17 - 20
Enrollment is $10 for Surprise residents and $20 for non-residents.
Swim Lesson Instructor Certification
This is a blended course where online instruction needs to be completed in advance.
- March 17 - 20
- March 27 - 30
- April 7 - 10
Enrollment is $50 for Surprise residents and $70 for non-residents.
Get more details on courses here. Registration is required. To sign up, go to surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec and click on ‘Aquatics.’
Participants who successfully complete courses will be certified by the Starfish Aquatics Institute; however, course completion does not guarantee employment with the City of Surprise.
Spring Break Camp Registration Now Open
The City of Surprise Parks & Recreation Department is excited to offer a Spring Break Camp for youth currently enrolled in kindergarten - 7th grade. Campers will enjoy daily activities, arts and crafts, games and sports. Spring Break Camp will be held March 17 - 21, from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., at Countryside Recreation Center – 15038 N. Parkview Pl.
Surprise resident registration:
$30 per day | $10 per child registration fee
Non-resident registration:
$34 per day | $30 per child registration fee
To download a registration packet, visit surpriseaz.gov/BreakCamps. A completed packet must be turned in at the Parks & Recreation office (15960 N. Bullard Ave.) to finalize registration. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We have a limited number of spots available, and they will fill quickly, so please register early. For more information, please call 623.222.2210 or email susan.dangerfield@surpriseaz.gov.
Little Olympian Games
Calling all young champions! Get ready to ignite the spirit of competition and fun at the upcoming Little Olympian Games at The Fields at Countryside located at 15263 W. Greenway Rd. on March 8. Children ages 3 - 5 will have the chance to showcase their athletic talents in a series of engaging and inclusive activities specially curated for their age group.
Event timeslots are as follows:
- 3-year-olds: 9 a.m.
- 4-year-olds: 10:30 a.m.
- 5-year-olds: 12 p.m.
The event features activities such as a mini obstacle course, football toss, soccer, t-ball and basketball.
Parents or guardians are encouraged to register their athletes in advance. Registration is $10 for Surprise residents and $12 for non-residents. To register, head to surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec and click “Special Programs” or email susan.dangerfield@surpriseaz.gov or call 623.222.2210 for more information.
Surprise Youth Council Recruitment for New Members
The Surprise Youth Council is excited to announce the opening of its recruitment process for new members! This dynamic group of young leaders is dedicated to promoting civic engagement among youth in Surprise. Through community service, advocacy and community-driven initiatives, SYC helps its members develop leadership skills while empowering peers to take an active role in shaping the future of their community.
Key Dates to Remember:
- Open House: Wednesday, March 12, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Café 60 (south entrance of Surprise City Hall - 16000 N. Civic Center Plz.) Prospective members and their families are invited to learn more about SYC, ask questions and meet current members.
- Application Deadline: April 4, 2025
Students currently in seventh through eleventh grades are eligible to apply. The process includes submitting an online application and a short video.
For more information and to apply, visit surpriseaz.gov/SYC or call 623.222.2000.
Country Headliners Take on Surprise at Out of the Park Music Fest!
Get ready for a star-studded country music experience right here in Surprise! Headliner ERNEST leads a lineup featuring Chase Matthew, George Birge, Louie TheSinger and Lauren Watkins, plus social media sensation Will Cullen and local favorite Kyle Mercer. Out of the Park Music Fest is coming to Mark Coronado Park on Saturday, March 22, from 2 - 10 p.m.
Listen to the artists on our Spotify or YouTube playlists now!
Secure your spot! Tickets are on sale NOW at OutOfTheParkMusicFest.com/Tickets.
Spring Training in Full Swing
The season has begun and is packed with 30 games, featuring six night games and nine weekend thrillers! Get your tickets now at SurpriseStadium.com!
Surprise residents, it’s your time to shine! Get two Baseline tickets for $20 for any Classic or Standard game! Let’s rally together for an unforgettable day at the ballpark! (Photo ID at box office or online promo code: RESIDENT2025)
Vote for Surprise Stadium
Voting for the Best Spring Training Facility in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards program has started and the City of Surprise needs your help! Surprise Stadium was chosen as a nominee for this award by USA TODAY editors and a panel of baseball facility experts.
You can cast a vote every day at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel. Voting ends on Monday, March 17, at 9 a.m. MST. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10Best readers, will be announced on Wednesday, March 26, at 9 a.m. MST.
Bullard Avenue Closure and Parking Information
For the safety of those attending City of Surprise events near the Surprise Recreation Campus, Bullard Avenue is closed between Paradise and Tierra Buena lanes 24 hours a day, through March 23. The south Surprise Regional Library parking lot is also closed during this time. The north parking lot will remain open.
See road closure & Spring Training parking map.
NEWS & UPDATES
Free Tax Preparation Services Available for Qualified Households
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) offers IRS trained and certified volunteers to assist households making $67,000 or less in preparing their tax returns.
Tax preparation assistance will be available through April 15 at the Surprise Resource Center, 12425 W. Bell Rd., Suite 124. No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are welcome on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 - 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
VITA assistance will also be available at Riverboat Bingo, 18300 W. Bell Rd., on Wednesdays through April 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For information on what to bring with you and to download and fill out the intake packet, visit TurnANewLeaf.org/VITA. For more information, call 623.222.1600.
Free Smoke Alarms for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The City of Surprise Fire-Medical Department and Surprise Firefighter Charities are partnering with the Arizona Burn Foundation, Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Red Cross to install free deaf and hard of hearing smoke alarm systems.
These specialized smoke alarms have a strobe light and bed shaker paired with a receiver to help provide an early warning signal in case of a fire for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing.
The installation of these free smoke detectors is available to Surprise residents by appointment only. Appointments are limited, participants are asked to sign up no later than April 7. To make an appointment, please visit abf.azburn.org/DHHappointment.
If you have any questions or would like more information about this installation event, please visit azburn.org, call 602.230.2041, or email programs@azburn.org.
FEBRARY HIGHLIGHTS
Mayor’s Welcome Back Reception
What an incredible evening at the 2025 Surprise Stadium Spring Training Mayor’s Welcome Back Reception! The City of Surprise Sports & Tourism Department pulled out all the stops to welcome back our beloved Cactus League Association hometown teams, the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers!
We were honored to hear from esteemed guests like Royals GM J.J. Picollo, Royals Manager Matt Quatraror, Rangers GM Chris Young, Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy. Thanks to our Surprise Sports & Tourism Director Kendra Pettis, Assistant Director Travis Ashby and the entire Surprise Sports & Tourism team for putting together such a memorable event!
Partnership Day Celebration
On February 20, we commemorated the 8th annual Partnership Day for the City of Surprise and Ottawa University, celebrating a relationship that has worked steadfastly to develop the future workforce of our community.
This year's event was led by Ottawa University - Arizona President Dennis Tyner who gave a warm welcome and invited Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor and Ottawa University Chancellor Bill Tsutsui to their respective podiums for the annual Proclamation reading. Afterward, President Tyner presented Mayor Sartor with the Partnership Mace, which the Surprise Mayor carries each year at the OUAZ Commencement Ceremony.
I was glad to be a part of such an incredible moment.
SAVE THE DATE
LIVE at Asante
Get ready for free, outdoor entertainment for all ages! LIVE at Asante is a casual performance series offering live music, engaging art activities and delicious food trucks. This series has one remaining event on Thursday, April 3, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Asante Library, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr. Enjoy talented local Country-Pop artists, High Horse and Eden Cislo. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and friends for a fun-filled evening under the stars.
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.
Vendor Opportunities for Eggstravaganza Event
The City of Surprise is eggcited to invite local businesses, outreach organizations and promotional vendors to participate in our evening Eggstravaganza event this spring.
This year’s Eggstravaganza will not only happen on a Friday, it’s also happening at night, on April 18 from 5 - 9 p.m. at the Surprise Recreation Campus, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave. This free event features fun for the whole family including inflatables, face painting, a special appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Bunny and a series of egg hunts filled with fun toys and treats. The annual event is expected to draw 12,000 - 15,000 participants.
The promotional booth fee is $500 for business vendors and $150 for non-profits. This includes a space on the Surprise Stadium concourse near egg hunt lines, one table and two chairs. 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. Deadline to register is April 13.
Seeking Sponsors and Exhibitors for Vet Fest
Surprise’s Vet Fest is a fun-filled evening for the entire community with a special focus on honoring and supporting those who have served, are currently serving or are looking to serve in the military. Attendees can connect with one another and learn about the support and resources available to veterans. Vet Fest is happening on Saturday, April 12, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Mark Coronado Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
If your non-profit organization would like to have a table at this year’s event, you are encouraged to reserve your spot through our online registration. Social clubs, resource-based organizations and government-affiliated entities are encouraged to apply!
The City of Surprise is also seeking sponsors for Vet Fest. Your sponsorship will contribute to the ongoing viability of this community event that celebrates our veterans and helps them connect with the wide range of service providers available to them and their families. Several levels of sponsorship opportunities provide your business with a promotional table opportunity at the event. View available sponsorship levels.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or if you would like to showcase your retired military vehicles, equipment or memorabilia at Vet Fest, please contact Danielle Osborne at 623.222.1034 or danielle.osborne@surpriseaz.gov.
This event is hosted by the City of Surprise Veterans, Disability & Human Services Commission. To learn more about the event, visit surpriseaz.gov/VetFest.
