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Patrick Duffy: District 3 Newsletter — March 2024
Posted
Patrick Duffy
City of Surprise
By Patrick Duffy
As March arrives, so does the beloved Spring Training baseball season, bringing with it the crack of bats and the cheers of fans! It's a time when our community comes alive with the excitement of America's favorite pastime. From catching games at the stadium to participating in community leagues, there's something for every baseball enthusiast to enjoy. Head to SurpriseStadium.com for updates on games, events and opportunities to celebrate the spirit of baseball right here in our city.
CURRENT EVENTS
Out of the Park Music Fest
The City of Surprise will host Out of the Park Music Fest on Saturday, March 23, from 2 - 10 p.m. at Mark Coronado Park, located at 15850 N. Bullard Ave., next to Surprise Stadium. The festival will close out the Spring Training season in Surprise and feature local and national headlining music acts, a beer garden, food trucks, yard games, a cornhole tournament and activities for the whole family. Featured artists include multi-platinum country entertainer Chase Rice; Paul Russell, whose viral song “Little Boo Thang” took social media by storm; stars from NBC’s hit show The Voice - Jake Hoot, Huntley, Mara Justine; local country favorite, Kyle Mercer; and more! Artists are still being added to the lineup and will be announced on the website and social media.
Tickets On Sale Now!
General Admission - $20 General Admission (GA) tickets start at only $20. Tickets include entrance to the festival and general admission viewing of the stage.
Special Surprise Resident Promotion - Two for $20 Surprise residents can get two GA tickets for only $20! Purchase tickets by March 8 to take advantage of this special deal. Use coupon code: SURPRISE! Resident tickets will also be verified by credit card zip code.
VIP - $50
Enjoy the festival like a VIP! Ticket includes catering, two beverage vouchers for alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, a private bar and VIP viewing area of the stage. VIP tickets are limited!
Spring Training Game & Music Fest Ticket Bundles - Starting at $23 Get the best of both worlds by bundling Spring Training and Music Fest tickets. Bundles start at just $23 to catch a game and the concert! Make a day out of it on March 23, by enjoying the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals at 12:05 p.m. and the music fest afterward. To add a discounted festival ticket to your Spring Training ticket purchase, go to SurpriseStadium.com/Tickets, add any game to your cart and then you’ll be prompted to add on the $15 festival ticket during the checkout process. If you’ve already purchased your Spring Training ticket and want to add Out of the Park Music Fest, please call or visit the Surprise Stadium Box Office.
Tickets can also be purchased through the Surprise Stadium Box Office in person or over the phone at 623.222.2222. Service charges and processing fees may apply to online and phone orders. For box office hours, check SurpriseStadium.com.
Mayor Hall is looking forward to presenting the 2024 State of the City alongside City Council on March 28, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plz. We're sharing the legacy of Surprise – from what’s already built to what we strive to leave generations to come! The event includes a video presentation sharing the story of Surprise and a celebration with refreshments, entertainment and a showcase of the City's programs and services.
Join us for Eggstravaganza, taking place on Saturday, March 30, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Surprise Stadium, located at 15850 N. Bullard Ave. This 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. Hop on over to surpriseaz.gov/Eggstravaganza for egg hunt times by age group.
City Council Meeting
The next City Council Meetings are on March 5 and 18 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.
Youth Scholarships for Residents
The City of Surprise has created an annual scholarship program to help outstanding local students who are active in their community afford further educational opportunities at an accredited college, university or trade school. These scholarships are open to high school seniors and homeschool students graduating in spring 2024 who currently reside in Surprise.
The City of Surprise Scholarship Selection Committee will award scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Funding will be paid directly to selected recipients’ chosen educational institution for the upcoming school year. Must be enrolled full-time.
All applications and supporting documents must be received no later than Monday, March 25, by 5 p.m. Scholarship award winners will be notified by April 29.
Surprise Youth Council is excited to announce the opening of its recruitment process for new members. This dynamic group of young individuals is committed to promoting civic engagement among youth in Surprise. Through community service, advocacy and activism initiatives, the council aims to develop leadership skills and empower peers to actively participate in shaping the future of their community. Joining Surprise Youth Council is not just about civic duty; it's an opportunity to volunteer, meet new friends and form lasting connections with those who share a passion for making a positive impact.
The application process is open now for students currently in 7th-11th grade. An application and a short video are required to be considered. The deadline for submission is April 1, 2024. For more information, head to surpriseaz.gov/SYC or call 623.222.2000.
2024 Surprise Retail Survey Now Open
Do you have a favorite restaurant you’d like to see open in Surprise? What about a unique shopping experience you want added to your hometown? Now is your chance to tell us in our 2024 Surprise Retail Survey!
We want to know how we can make our city a one-stop shopping and dining destination. The survey will help the City identify retail strengths within the community, as well as pinpoint opportunities to bring additional amenities closer to home. Every response helps the Surprise Economic Development Department better reach the retailers you want the most.
We also have a youth-only survey to better understand what our younger generation wants to see. The Youth Survey is for those under the age of 18 who live in Surprise.
It’s important to us that we attract businesses you want, because the money you spend here, stays here. In fact, local sales tax makes up nearly 40 percent of our City’s General Fund revenues, which support public safety, clean parks and street maintenance.
The Surprise Retail Survey runs through Sunday, March 17, and is available online at surpriseaz.gov/RetailSurvey.
Arts & Culture Events
The City has many ways you can enjoy the arts and culture scene in our community. From theater performances, gallery tours, poetry readings and more, there is something for you to explore!
Registration required for events listed above. Find details and sign-up information at surpriseaz.gov/ArtEvents.
FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS
Future Business Leaders of America Proclamation
Mayor Skip Hall proclaimed the week of February 19-23, 2024, as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Week at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 20. The proclamation was presented to Clint Martinez, Career and Technical Education teacher at Valley Vista High School.
FBLA is a professional business organization dedicated to bringing business and education together in a positive working relationship, while teaching middle school, high school and college students basic business and leadership principles.
Semi-truck Parking Areas
During the February 20 meeting, City Council voted to amend the City of Surprise Parking Code to expand existing prohibition of truck, recreational vehicle and trailer parking in residential areas to all City streets and City rights-of-way. As an alternative, the City has designated roadways in commercial industrial areas where trucks and semi-trucks may park without violating the new code.
To provide truck drivers with alternative parking, the following City roadways have been designated for truck parking and are marked with authorized parking signage:
Hope Drive alignment off of North Solar Canyon Way between Cactus and Peoria roads (Map)
Once the parking code officially takes effect on March 21, 2024, City staff will begin an educational campaign issuing warnings to illegally parked vehicles and providing the locations for authorized parking. After the educational period, all parking violators will be subject to a standard parking fee when cited.
Surprise Stadium proudly announces its recent recognition as a 2023 Valley Favorite. In a remarkable display of support, fans voted the Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and 2023 World Series Champions, the Texas Rangers, as the top sporting event in the West Valley for 2023.
Surprise Stadium is honored to receive this recognition and extends its heartfelt gratitude, as this demonstrates the unwavering passion and dedication of our fans who have made Surprise Stadium their preferred sporting destination in the West Valley. Come see what the hype is all about!
For more information about Spring Training, please visit SurpriseStadium.com or call 623.222.2222.
Keep the winning streak alive! Vote for Surprise Stadium as USA Today’s best Spring Training facility.
Vet Fest
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first-ever Vet Fest! As a Veteran-friendly city, we were excited to offer attendees a chance to connect and learn about the support and resources available to those who have served, are currently serving or want to serve in the military.
Partnership Day Celebration
Thursday, February 15, marked the 7th anniversary of the partnership between the City of Surprise and Ottawa University. Mayor Skip Hall, Councilmember Chris Judd and I joined Ottawa University’s Chancellor William Tsutsui and Ottawa University’s Arizona Campus President Dennis Tyner for a celebration of the unique relationship and shared civic campus here in the city. This occasion also marked the dedication ceremony for OUAZ's newest campus structure, Veritas Hall, designed by Colliers Engineering & Design and built by Chasse Building Team. This brand new, state of the art residence hall and multi-purpose building includes student suites, dedicated study and gathering spaces, offices, classrooms and more and is (currently) the tallest building in the city at five stories!
Cotton Lane Dentistry Ribbon Cutting
I had the pleasure of joining Dr. Joshua Shaw MA, DMD, Dr. Mohammed Khakwani, DMD and the whole crew to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Cotton Lane Dentistry on Friday, February 2. This new business is located at 17200 W. Peoria Ave. We are thrilled to have you in Surprise!
SAVE THE DATE
Community Meeting
My next District 3 meeting will be on April 6 at 9 a.m. at Total Wine & More, 13440 N. Prasada Pkwy. Please check surpriseaz.gov for updates to my Community Meeting schedule. As always, feel free to email me at patrick.duffy@surpriseaz.gov with any questions or concerns you may have.
Surprise Founders Day Event
The Surprise Original Townsite Stakeholders Committee, in partnership with the City of Surprise, is bringing Founder’s Day back to the Original Townsite, a long-time celebrated tradition that occurred from 1970 through 1990. This event will take place Saturday, April 13,at 2:30 p.m. at Bi-Centennial Park, 16705 N. Nash St.
A parade will start at the Senior Center, head north to Paradise Lane, west to Nash Street, then north to finish at the park. Activities will include recognition of the longest tenured residents, food booths (items for sale), car show, games and prizes for the kids, resident softball game and so much more!
We hope you join us in celebrating our heritage and traditions of the oldest section of our city. For more information, please call Sherry Simmons Aguilar at 602.319.5008 or email otschair@gmail.com.
Surprise Talent Show
The Surprise Talent Show is on Saturday, April 27, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Vista Center for the Arts located at 15660 N. Parkview Pl. The Surprise Talent Show promises a night of diverse performances spanning three age groups: youth, teens and adults. Join us for a night of entertainment that will leave you in awe! Tickets for the talent show can be purchased in advance for $5 per person or at the door for $7 per person. For information, visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec or contact us at 623.222.2000.
