Patrick Duffy: Surprise District 3 — December Newsletter
Patrick Duffy
City of Surprise
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now that December is here, Sparkling Surprise is back to bring joy to many families, until December 28. Please enjoy the display organized by our talented Parks & Recreation team.
CURRENT EVENTS
Cookies and Crafts with Santa
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Patrick Duffy: Surprise District 3 — December Newsletter
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Patrick Duffy
City of Surprise
By Patrick Duffy
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now that December is here, Sparkling Surprise is back to bring joy to many families, until December 28. Please enjoy the display organized by our talented Parks & Recreation team.
CURRENT EVENTS
Cookies and Crafts with Santa
The City of Surprise is excited to present Cookies and Crafts with Santa on December 14! Families and children are invited to join us for a day filled with festive activities, heartwarming moments and a special visit from Santa Claus himself.
This fun-filled event offers six time slots between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., so everyone can find the perfect time to enjoy the holiday magic and create lasting memories. Cookies and Crafts with Santa will be held at the Parks & Recreation Office, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
Registration is required, with a fee of $5 per person for Surprise residents and $7 per person for non-residents. Space is limited, so make sure to register early!
Take a picture with Santa using your best grin, have a sweet treat and let the holidays begin! The City of Surprise invites families to celebrate the season with a special visit to Santa’s Workshop! This festive experience will take place at the Surprise Stadium Team Shop, located at 15930 N. Bullard Ave. The workshop is open to the community for three magical nights on December 10, 11 and 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
This free event features Santa’s jolly spirit, a sweet treat and holiday-themed coloring activities for kids. Please be sure to bring your own camera to capture family smiles, as no professional photographers will be on-site.
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.
CPR Classes –Take a free non-certifying CPR class. Participants will learn the basics of CPR, including chest compressions, AED use and rescue breathing. Classes are typically the first Friday of each even-numbered month, but the next session will be on December 12.
Stop the Bleed & Narcan Classes –Participants will learn the basic skills needed to save someone in the event of a deep-penetrating injury and the proper technique needed to deliver Narcan. Classes are on the first Friday of each odd-numbered month. The next class is on January 9 due to the holiday week.
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.
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
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)
February 19 | Bluegrass/Rock | Mark Bishop Evans (opener) and George & Georgia (headliner)
March 19 | Classic Jazz | Carlos Huicochea (opener) and Glen & Clydene (headliner)
Community Meeting
My next community meeting will be on Saturday, January 10, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Rescue Oasis Swim Center, 12361 N. Perryville Rd. See you there!
City Council Meetings
The next City Council Meeting is December 16 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.
NEWS & UPDATES
Winter Adult Sports Registration
The City of Surprise Parks & Recreation Department is gearing up for adult softball, kickball, volleyball, basketball and flag football leagues!
Teams may register over the phone, at the Parks & Recreation office on 15960 N. Bullard Ave or online at surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec.
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!
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 250th – Stars & Stories. The program will run until 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.
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.
NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Veterans Day Celebration
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 11th Annual City of Surprise Veterans Day Celebration and Parade! Our community came together once again to honor the brave men and women who have selflessly served our nation.
We are proud to stand united in gratitude for our veterans, today and every day.
Sands Kia Ribbon Cutting
On November 6, Councilmember Melton and I joined Mayor Kevin Sartor and the representatives of KIA Motors to celebrate the grand opening of Sands Kia.
They are located at 16820 W. Cactus Rd. Congrats to the entire Sands KIA team and welcome to Surprise!
Sportsman’s Warehouse Ribbon Cutting
On November 13, Councilmember Johnny Melton, Councilmember Chris Judd and I joined Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic, alongside the incredible Sportsman's Warehouse team for a grand opening ribbon cutting celebration!
They are located at 14085 N. Prasada Pkwy. Congratulations to the entire Sportsman's Warehouse team, and welcome to the city of Surprise!
SAVE THE DATE
Spring Training Season at Surprise Stadium
Spring training games are back! With 31 games on the schedule and two World Baseball Classic exhibition matchups added to the lineup, fans can look forward to an exciting mix of MLB talent, rising stars and international competition. Opening day is February 20 and games run through March 21.
Also look forward to the MLB Spring Breakout event on March 20, featuring the Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers. This special game will showcase the next generation of Major League talent, highlighting baseball’s brightest prospects.
Individual game tickets for Spring Training at Surprise Stadium are on sale online at SurpriseStadium.com.
Additional details regarding the upcoming season including promotional schedules, special events and ticket offers will be announced in the coming weeks. Fill out our ticket information form to be alerted when they go live. You can also stay up to date by visiting SurpriseStadium.com or signing up for Sports & Tourism notifications.
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.
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.
Out of the Park Music Fest
Save the date for the 2026 Out of the Park Music Fest on the final day of Spring Training in Surprise, featuring Multi-Platinum country music star Russell Dickerson and just-announced chart-topping artist Niko Moon! Additional artists and local acts will be announced soon!
The annual event returns to Mark Coronado Park (15850 N. Bullard Ave.) on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 2 - 10 p.m.
Tickets available NOW at OutOfTheParkMusicFest.com/Tickets. If you’re looking for the VIP experience, get your tickets now, because they will sell out!
Competition for Local Musicians – Winner Plays at Out of the Park Music Fest!
The City of Surprise is calling on local musicians to showcase their talent at Play Your Way to the Park – a new, live music competition where selected up-and-coming bands or solo artists will rock the stage for a shot to perform at the 2026 Out of the Park Music Fest.
Play Your Way to the Park will take place Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 6 p.m. at The Vista Center for the Arts. The event is free and open to the public with a ticket reservation. Reserve your spot now at surpriseaz.gov/ArtsSignUp.
The winning act will earn a $1,000 artist fee and will open Out of the Park Music Fest on March 21, 2026, at Mark Coronado Park, following the Kansas City Royals vs. Colorado Rockies Surprise Spring Training game. The top three acts will receive studio recording time through On Stage Now’s Recording Assistance Program.
Musicians from across the Metro-Phoenix region are invited to apply. We welcome all genres, all ages and all sounds that get the crowd on their feet.
How to Apply Musicians can apply at surpriseaz.gov/Arts. Applications are open now, and the submission deadline is December 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.Artists are encouraged to submit early to ensure consideration. Artists will be notified by the selection panel by early January if they are moving on to the live competition.
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