YOUR RESTAURANT WISH IS GRANTED! SURPRISEAZ.GOV/PROGRESSMAG • FALL 2026 It’s beginning to look a lot like event season! Plus,City Council Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month; no meetings are held in July. Agendas are published at least 24 hours in advance of the meetings. View the agendas for City Council and the City’s Boards and Commissions at surpriseaz.gov/Agendas. Surprise Progress is published by the City of Surprise Marketing & Communications Department. Read it online at surpriseaz.gov/ProgressMag. Comments? Call 623.222.1431 or email communications@surpriseaz.gov. This magazine does not publish any outside advertising. FALL 2026 | Volume 26 | No. 4 DISTRICT 1 Nick Haney VICE MAYOR, DISTRICT 2 Earle Greenberg DISTRICT 3 Patrick Duffy DISTRICT 4 Johnny V. Melton DISTRICT 5 Jack Hastings DISTRICT 6 Chris Judd MAYOR Kevin Sartor CITY MANAGER Andrea Davis - 623.222.1100 CITY COUNCIL - 623.222.1300 WATCH LIVE TELEVISED MEETINGS ON surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV Megan Sawyer Amanda Steele Nichole Wiley WRITERS | COPY EDITORS Ambria Brown Lorena Cano Muriel M. Sawicki DESIGN | PHOTOGRAPHY Virginia Mungovan CHIEF EDITOR /CityOfSurprise T here’s a sense of possibility in our community right now. Surprise is opening new doors – ones that bring expanded opportunities to enjoy arts and culture, access commu- nity resources and grow a business. Surprise Arts has launched its first full season of live entertainment at The Vista Center for the Arts, and there is something for everyone. From magic performances to musical acts, you are sure to find a show you won’t want to miss. Learn more on pages 8 & 9. The Surprise Com- munity & Resource Center opened its doors on September 3, welcoming seniors to their new dedicated gathering space, kids to early childhood programs, and all ages to a new library and a variety of resources – from employment as- sistance to Veteran support. You can get details on the center by flipping to pages 10 & 11. Business owners are also able to step into something new with Spark Surprise now open. This business development hub, located in City Center, is dedicated to helping businesses connect and learn through collabora- tion, expert mentorship and tailored resources. There’s even a podcast studio for those looking to share their expertise and connect with customers in a whole new way! Turn to page 13 for more information. The City is continually look- ing for ways to build commu- nity and help residents thrive. Investment in resources is an investment in our residents. If you haven’t checked out these opportunities, please consider this your invitation to explore what’s new. MayorKevin Sartor THE COUNCIL UPDATE surpriseaz.gov/ Mayor 2 surpriseaz.gov | FALL 2026 A tragedy involving water is absolutely gut-wrenching. As firefighters, it’s among the hardest calls we respond to. Already, the City of Surprise took action to help more children access lifesaving swim lessons and we cut the swim lesson waitlist by 93%. This year, I wanted to take it a step further, which is why I launched the Safe Scholars Swim Program to remove financial barriers for families who might otherwise go without lessons. Through the program, we graduated 14 children. I’m excited to expand Safe Scholars in the years ahead so we can reach more families and help keep more of our kids safe. Some of the strongest communities start with something simple: neighbors getting to know neighbors. When we take the time to connect, a conversation with someone across the street can turn into a friendship, new neighbors can quickly feel at home and familiar faces can become a support system. As fall temperatures arrive, it’s a great time to step outside and spend time with the people who make your neighborhood special. If you’ve been thinking about bringing everyone together, the City has a resource to make it a little easier and more fun! Turn to page 6 to learn about our free Block Party Trailer. E-bikes and e-scooters are common across Surprise. That’s why the City’s working on an e-bike and e-scooter ordinance update, with a focus on developing clear, enforceable regulations that promote safe operation throughout the community. The City’s been gathering feedback from residents, schools and community partners. This feedback will help shape speed limits, where these devices can operate and enforcement for unsafe riding. Residents can expect continued public engagement as staff works toward presenting the ordinance to City Council in November. Implementation is expected before the end of the year. Ensuring our energy grid is reliable is vital, especially in Arizona where pow- er failures can be dangerous in the hot summer. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are a new energy product helping to stabilize the grid by storing electrical energy in batteries for later use. In Sep- tember, City Council passed an ordi- nance defining where these facilities can be, as well as zoning and development standards. A 150-foot buffer is required from the wall around the batteries to the property line. There must be an addition- al 100–500-foot buffer from existing homes, as determined by Council. While there are no BESS facilities in Surprise, we are prepared for when they come. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the residents of District 5 for placing your trust in me to serve another four years on City Council. It’s an honor to represent you and advocate for the ser- vices, amenities and thoughtful growth that keep our community strong and thriving. As cooler weather finally arrives and the holiday season approaches, I hope to see you enjoying the wonder- ful City events that bring our community together, from the Veterans Day Parade to the always spectacular Sparkling Sur- prise. Learn more about these celebra- tions on pages 4-6. We are also proud to support the Desert Fall Festival in City Center, which runs through November 1. As we look ahead, I remain committed to planning for our water future. We are once again facing Colorado River cuts due to ongoing drought conditions. Thanks to decades of smart planning and a diverse water portfolio, Surprise is prepared for the reductions ahead. Even with these cuts, we still use much less water than is allocated to us, so we will still be able to store excess water for the years ahead. Surprise is in a strong position for the future, but conservation remains important. I encourage everyone to help protect this vital resource. You can read more about our water efforts and water rebates on page 15. D 1 D 2 D 3 D 4 D 5 D 6 surpriseaz.gov/District1surpriseaz.gov/District2surpriseaz.gov/District3 surpriseaz.gov/District4surpriseaz.gov/District5surpriseaz.gov/District6 Jack Hastings Johnny V. Melton Chris Judd Earle Greenberg Nick Haney Patrick Duffy Vice Mayor Enter your address at surpriseaz.gov/MySurpriseAddress to find out what district you live in. FALL 2026 | surpriseaz.gov 3Fill your calendar with free, family-friendly events! Fiesta Grande A SEASON OF October 10 | 5 - 10 p.m. Mark Coronado Park Celebrate the rich heritage, vibrant traditions and strong community roots that helped shape Surprise at this family-friendly festival featuring authentic Mexican food, a classic car show, Lucha Libre wrestling, petting zoo, Piñata Plaza, vendors and live music and entertainment! surpriseaz.gov/FiestaGrande CELEBRATIONFill your calendar with free, family-friendly events! December 4 & 5 | 5 - 9 p.m. Surprise Recreation Campus Kick off the holiday season with two nights of family fun! Enjoy visits with Santa, festive activities, entertainment, food, a shopping village and plenty of holiday cheer. surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseParty November 21 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Surprise Recreation Campus Discover the excitement of science, technology, engineering, art and math at this free, all ages festival! Explore interactive exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, robotics, experiments and activities designed to spark curiosity. surpriseaz.gov/SciTech G.A.I.N. NightVeterans Day Parade SciTech Festival in partnership with OUAZ Surprise Party October 17 | 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Mark Coronado Park Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (G.A.I.N.), brings residents together with Surprise Police and Fire-Medical teams for family-friendly activities, safety tips, live demonstrations, trick-or-treating and more! surpriseaz.gov/GAIN November 11 | 10 a.m. Bullard Avenue Between Paradise and Tierra Buena lanes Honor those who have served by lining the streets for the Surprise Veterans Day Parade. Join your neighbors in recognizing our veterans and celebrating their service and sacrifice. surpriseaz.gov/VeteransDay FALL 2026 | surpriseaz.gov 5Bring neighbors together without the party-planning hassle! The free City of Surprise Block Party Trailer comes packed with tables, chairs, canopy tents, coolers, games, sports equipment, music, a PA system and more. Approved applicants may also qualify for up to $150 in reimbursement toward eligible food, party amenities or entertainment expenses. January 16 | 8 a.m. - noon The Vista Center for the Arts Honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as our community comes together to reflect on his vision, celebrate those making a difference and turn inspiration into action through meaningful service opportunities. surpriseaz.gov/MLK December 4 - 27 | 5:30 - 10 p.m. nightly Surprise Community Park Step into the holiday season at Sparkling Surprise! Wander through a dazzling light display featuring festive photo opportunities and colorful, themed-lands, perfect for a night out. surpriseaz.gov/SparklingSurprise Book the Block Party Trailer Bring the Party to YOU! surpriseaz.gov/BlockParty Sparkling SurpriseMLK Jr. Day of Celebration & Service 6 surpriseaz.gov | FALL 2026 Discover the New Hollyhock Library 12641 W. Santa Fe Dr. T here’s a lot to love about the new Hollyhock Library, now open inside the Surprise Community & Resource Center! Find your next great read, check out the brand-new computers, join in on programs and activities in larger spaces or grab a book and head outside to the new reading patio. With more room to learn, explore and connect, there’s plenty to discover on your next visit. Learn with ABCmouse FREE with your Surprise library card! Learning just got a little more fun with an exciting new resource available through Surprise Public Library. ABCmouse offers educational activities for children to work at their own pace, with lessons and activities covering reading, math, science and art. Take a Walk Through a Halloween Tale October 30 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Asante Library Get ready for the story of Christopher Pumpkin by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet to come to life! Follow the pages along the trail, stopping for activities, crafts, face painting and more along the way. Costumes are encouraged! Count down to reading! Kick off the new year with the Mayor’s Literacy Challenge, encouraging readers of all ages to turn the page, track their reading and make literacy part of their 2027 goals. Watch for details at SurprisePublicLibrary.gov. January 1 - February 14MAYOR’S LITERACY CHALLENGE GET READY FOR Check This Out! 7Cirque Kalabanté November 7 | 4 p.m. Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic October 17 | 4 p.m. Be amazed as Jason Bishop combines large-scale illusions, sleight of hand, comedy and audience participation in a fast- paced show designed to keep you guessing. Tickets & details at surprisearts.com The Little Mermen and the Princess Pals February 13 | 2 p.m. Sing along to familiar Disney tunes as The Little Mermen and the Princess Pals put a high-energy, rock and pop-inspired spin on favorites from across the Disney catalog. FAMILY FUN TAKES THE STAGE We’re bringing three exciting all-ages performances to The Vista Center for the Arts, with earlier showtimes on Saturdays, making it easier to bring everyone along! Feel the energy of West Africa through breathtaking acrobatics, human pyramids, live Afro- jazz, percussion and dynamic movement in this vibrant contemporary circus experience. PREFER TO BUY TICKETS IN PERSON? Visit the Surprise Stadium Box Office every Wednesday from noon - 4 p.m. 623.222.ARTS (2787) 8 surpriseaz.gov | FALL 2026 Confluencia Surprise’s growing public art collection has a new addition at the recently opened Surprise Community & Resource Center. Inspired by water and the history of Surprise’s Original Town Site, Confluencia creates a welcoming space for art, gathering and connection. Two pathways representing rivers of the past and future converge among water-inspired paving, terraced seating and cotton-bloom shade canopies that honor the area’s agricultural roots. The artwork, created by Mandy Palasik and James Dinh, also incorporates excerpts from conversations between local youth and longtime community members, preserving their stories and creating a lasting connection between generations. View the City’s public art collection at surpriseaz.gov/PublicArt. MORE THAN A WORK OF ART Get more details and register at surprisearts.com/Programs FREE TO EXPLORE Bring a chair and enjoy free live music under the open sky, hands-on arts activities and a local food truck at Asante Library. The series runs on the third Thursday of each month through April. UPCOMING DATES: October 15, November 19 & December 17 Discover and explore Arizona’s cultures, histories and experiences through free conversations featuring speakers sharing their knowledge, stories and perspectives. UPCOMING DATES: October 17 & November 7 Grab your sketchbook and see public art differently around Surprise through free guided experiences that invite participants to slow down, look closer and get creative. Tours rotate between City Hall and Community Park. UPCOMING DATES: October 8, November 12 & December 10 FALL 2026 | surpriseaz.gov 9Next >