As we embrace the month of March, let us take in the warm sun and smell of freshly cut grass. Whether you are attending one of the many Spring Training games at Surprise Stadium or enjoying a walk through our beautiful community park, spring is certainly the time of year to get out and enjoy this gorgeous weather. As for City staff, they are working diligently to bring you two incredible events this month: the Out of the Park Music Fest and State of the City. Both events are sure to leave an impression that the City is committed to providing residents with one-of-a-kind experiences and creating lasting memories for all family members. We hope to see you there and thank you for your continued support.
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.
Join us for the 2024 State of the City on March 28, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plz. This year, we are sharing the legacy of Surprise – from what’s already built to what we strive to leave for 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.
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 Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.
Eggstravaganza
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.
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 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 the 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.
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 and would like further educational opportunities at an accredited college, university or trade school. These scholarships are open to high school seniors and homeschool students graduating this spring 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 participants’ chosen educational institution for the upcoming school. 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 their community's future. 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. For more information, head to surpriseaz.gov/SYC or call 623.222.2000.
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.
Sunday in the Park
Enjoy this fun family event on Sunday, March 3, from 3 - 7 p.m. at Mark Coronado Park with live music from 8 Tracks and delicious food. Event admission is free; food and drink are available for purchase. Also, support local vendors by shopping at the outdoor market!
FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS
Surprise Stadium Voted West Valley favorite!
Surprise Stadium proudly announced 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.
Galentine’s Business Event
We celebrated women business and community leaders at the City of Surprise second annual Galentine’s Women’s Business Bash on February 13! This event was a vibrant gathering dedicated to honoring the achievements of women leaders in Surprise. Attendees enjoyed an inspiring keynote address by Katie Haydon Perry, President/CEO of Haydon Companies, recognized as one of the 50 leaders to watch in 2024 by AZ Big 100. With dozens of small business owners and community partners in attendance, the event was a true testament to the strength and impact of women in our community. Surrounded by the beauty of the West Valley Arts HQ Gallery and the smell of delicious waffles, Galentine’s Day has quickly become a cherished annual tradition in Surprise!
Partnership Day Celebration
Thursday, February 15, marked the 7th anniversary of the partnership between the City of Surprise and Ottawa University. Councilmembers Patrick Duffy, 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. The 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!
Mayor’s Spring Training Welcome Back Reception
What an incredible evening at the 2024 Surprise Stadium Spring Training Mayor’s Welcome Back Reception! Kicking off the season alongside Councilmembers Aly Cline, Patrick Duffy, Chris Judd and Ken Remley was a thrill. 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 World Series Champion Texas Rangers!
We were honored to hear from esteemed guests like Royals GM J.J. Picollo, Royals Bench Manager Paul Hoover, Rangers GM Chris Young, Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy and Rangers Executive Vice President John Blake who unveiled the World Series Trophy! Special thanks to our Surprise Sports & Tourism Director Kendra Pettis, Assistant Director Travis Ashby and the entire Surprise Sports & Tourism team for creating such a memorable event!
Future Business Leaders of America Proclamation
The week of February 19-23, was proclaimed as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Week at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 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 basic business and leadership principles to middle school, high school and college students.
SAVE THE DATE
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.
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.
Thank you to all residents who have enthusiastically signed up to receive my monthly newsletter. Your engagement is essential, and I'm excited to keep you informed about community updates, events and items that may be of interest to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me at skip.hall@surpriseaz.gov or 623.222.1313. Also, feel free to visit my webpage at surpriseaz.gov/Mayor. Follow me on Facebook facebook.com/SurpriseMayor and X @SkipHall2.
