During this time of the year, we reflect on all the blessings we have received and continue to receive. It is time to renew our faith in family, help one another and meet everyday challenges by working together. It has been an honor to serve alongside our public safety and City staff; their hard work and sacrifice make our city a better place to live. I am incredibly grateful to you for trusting me as your mayor for the past six years. Thank you!
Join us on Sunday, November 10, for another Sunday in the Park featuring live music by Yachtzilla, a variety of food trucks, a shopping market, an assortment of beers and wines, and family friendly activities for all ages. Admission is free; food and drinks will be available for purchase. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and don’t forget all dogs must be leashed!
This event will take place at Mark Coronado Park (15850 N. Bullard Ave.) from 3 - 7 p.m.
To see the list of upcoming events, visit surpriseaz.gov/SpecialEvents.
Join us in honoring our service men and women at the 10th annual City of Surprise Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will be routed along Bullard Avenue between Paradise and Tierra Buena lanes. It will feature community floats, bands, dancers and more! This event has become a tradition in Surprise, honoring the men and women in uniform who have selflessly served our country.
If you’re arriving early to get a spot, there’s an option to purchase breakfast and coffee from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at Surprise Stadium in the centerfield plaza. This year’s breakfast is $10 and will be proudly served by the Surprise Police Department.
The City of Surprise Veterans Day Parade is presented by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department and WM, formerly Waste Management. It is sponsored, in part, by Banner Health Del E. Webb Medical Center, Sanderson Ford and Sanderson Lincoln.
Join us for our annual SciTech Festival on Saturday, November 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mark Coronado Park parking lot, 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
This free, fun-filled and educational event celebrates STEAM in a fun and interactive environment. Technology and our daily interactions with it continue to grow exponentially. This SciTech Festival aims to inspire our future and current and workforce to seek careers in STEAM fields and showcase the local businesses and organizations already making great strides in these fields.
The next City Council Meeting is on November 19 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.
Looking for somewhere fun for your kids to spend their Thanksgiving break? The City of Surprise Parks & Recreation Department is excited to offer a three-day Thanksgiving Break Camp for youth currently enrolled in kindergarten - 8th grade. Campers will enjoy daily activities, arts and crafts, games and sports.
The camp will be held November 25 - 27 (Monday through Wednesday) from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Sierra Montana Recreation Center - 14861 N. Spring Ln. Registration is now open.
To download a registration packet, visit surpriseaz.gov/BreakCamps. To finalize registration, a completed registration packet and your child's immunization records must be turned into the Parks & Recreation office, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
There are a limited number of spots available, and they will fill quickly, so please register early. For more information about Thanksgiving Break Camp, please call 623.222.2210 or email susan.dangerfield@surpriseaz.gov
If you are a Homeowners Association (HOA) community member, condominium board member or property manager in Surprise, you are encouraged to attend the HOA Summit on Wednesday, November 20, from 6 - 8 p.m. inside City Hall Chambers,16000 N. Civic Center Plz.
Attendees will have a chance to learn about community resources, housing trends and hear expert presentations geared specifically for HOA board members, property management teams and homeowners.
Hear presentations from and interact with City staff from our recycling program, Surprise Police Department and code enforcement. Then, Beth Mulcahy, Esq. of the Mulcahy Law Firm, P.C., will join us for an informative class on Arizona’s HOA and condo laws, including many current topics such as new legislation and enforcement of governing documents. There will also be time for Q&A at the end of the class.
Registration is required at surpriseaz.gov/HOASummit. For more information, please contact Atour Bethishou at 623.222.1612 or email Atour.Bethishou@surpriseaz.gov.
October was proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the City Council Meeting on October 1. As part of the proclamation, we urged the community to raise awareness about this issue and work together to eliminate domestic violence in our city.
The color purple symbolizes the national effort to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). During this year’s national “Wear Purple Day” on October 17, City staff wore purple, and our community was encouraged to take part in this visible way to show support for victims and the numerous organizations that provide advocacy and assistance to them. Our community saw both Surprise City Hall and the City’s Public Safety Building lit purple each evening during the entire month in support of DVAM.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you are encouraged to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit TheHotline.org.
Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic and I joined business owner Sam Thiara for the grand opening of his new McDonald's in Surprise on October 2! At the ribbon cutting Mr. Thiara also graciously donated $20,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona. So excited to welcome Mr. Thiara and his team to Surprise!
Thank you to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for bringing the informational community forum on Fentanyl to our Surprise Regional Library. We learned and discussed how to work together to keep families safe.
It was an exciting time at the Colonnade groundbreaking ceremony, as they added 23 additional apartments to their complex! The Colonnade in Surprise is one of three Life Care communities for Sun Health, and it’s wonderful to see it growing in our city.
October was also proclaimed to be Disability Employment Awareness Month in Surprise at the City Council meeting on October 15, celebrating the value and talent workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy.
The proclamation was accepted by members of our City’s Veterans, Disability & Human Services Commission, as well as the owners and some staff of Spencer's Place – a local coffee shop that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What a celebration at the ribbon cutting and opening of the new Lou Malnati's in Surprise at 13382 N. Prasada Pkwy.! At the event, Lou Malnati's generously donated $5,000 to Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Centers, and gave a $1,000 donation to the Shadow Ridge High School Pom Team. We are ecstatic to welcome this community partner and delicious dining option to our community!
Thank you to our Surprise Police and Fire-Medical departments for another successful Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (G.A.I.N.) Night! The event brought the Surprise community together and promoted our safe and family-friendly city! Bella and I enjoyed it!
It was a wonderful time at the Senior Center on October 25. Our Human Service & Community Vitality team does a phenomenal job at making our members feel appreciated.
The City will be able to develop and revitalize portions of the McMicken Dam Impoundment Area and Outlet Channel property just northwest of Loop 303 for recreational park facilities and open spaces thanks to an approved MOU by the Flood Control District of Maricopa County Board of Directors and the Surprise City Council.
Learn more: bit.ly/40m9ATF
More than $4 million in new funding is on the way to help address congestion at the US 60 (Grand Avenue)/Loop 303 traffic interchange and the nearby intersection of US 60 and 163rd Avenue. The $4.2 million, approved by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Council, will come from the Proposition 400 Freeway Life Cycle Program and is supported by Maricopa County’s dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation. It augments $4.5 million in funding approved in 2023 by the Arizona State Legislature for near-term improvements for the corridor.
In addition to improvements currently under construction by ADOT, the additional interim improvements include:
Congratulations to our Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic, on receiving the prestigious President's Choice Award at the WESTMARC Best of the West Awards Gala! This award is a testament to Jeanine's extraordinary leadership, innovative strategies and dedication to WESTMARC and the region.
Village at Prasada developer Josh Simon and the Simon CRE team were awarded the Economic Engine Award for their incredible work on the shopping center!
Congratulations also to the City of Surprise Human Service & Community Vitality Department, A New Leaf, Maricopa County, Arizona Department of Housing and Mustard Seed Ministries for being selected as a finalist for the Excellence in Innovation award for the West Valley Housing Assistance Center.
The Surprise Police Department has been honored with the prestigious International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Volunteer Police Service Programs Award (Auxiliary/Reserve Program) for its Citizens Patrol program.
This award is a testament to the outstanding dedication and hard work of our Citizens Patrol volunteers. Their commitment to making our community safer and stronger is truly inspiring!
The City continues to be recognized among the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies internationally by earning reaccreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This distinguished accomplishment was awarded this October, during the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Accreditation shows that the Surprise Parks & Recreation Department demonstrates proper practices and procedures in the administration of our parks, facilities and programs, highlighting a high standard of service for the community.
Congratulations to our Parks & Recreation team on this amazing achievement!
The City of Surprise is thrilled to invite local businesses, outreach organizations and promotional vendors to participate in the annual Surprise Party holiday event, taking place Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7, from 5 - 9 p.m. at the Surprise Recreation Campus, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
Surprise Party is one of the city’s largest and most popular community events, offering two nights of festive fun and entertainment for the whole family. Attendees will enjoy holiday-themed festivities, including a tree lighting ceremony, live music, arts and crafts and visits with Santa Claus. The event is expected to draw thousands of residents and visitors from across the community.
Vendors are invited to be part of this exciting celebration by hosting a promotional booth. Fees are $750 for business vendors and $150 for non-profits. Each booth includes a 10x10 vendor tent, one table and two chairs. Vendors are required to attend both nights of the event as part of their registration. 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.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with the Surprise community and spread holiday cheer!
Thank you to all residents who have signed up to receive my monthly newsletter. Your engagement is essential, and I'm happy 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, 623.222.1313. Also, feel free to visit my webpage at surpriseaz.gov/Mayor. Follow me on Facebook facebook.com/SurpriseMayor and X @SkipHall2.
