El Mirage unveils 75th-anniversary logo, sets $100,000 FY26 allocation and outlines yearlong celebrations

The Common Council reviewed initial plans and a logo for the City of El Mirage's 75th-anniversary celebration on June 17, 2025, including a FY26 budget allocation and a list of potential events and promotional items.

Sean (staff member) presented the logo and read a description prepared by Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Relations, describing a round format that incorporates the city's established fonts and colors, agricultural-curving lines representing heritage and a sun motif to reflect climate and a "bright future." "A brand is a promise to deliver a product or service to a customer," Sean read from the team's prepared statement.

Staff said a small FY25 allocation will fund initial merchandise orders and that $100,000 was set aside in the FY26 budget as an initial estimate to stage a yearlong campaign and a mid-October multi-day signature event. The staff presentation listed possible elements for 2026: a drone light show (as an alternative to fireworks), band and live-music stages, Lucha Libre wrestling, an expanded carnival, banners on street poles, a community scavenger hunt, photo and video histories of the city, collaborations with local schools and arts partners on murals, a distribution of commemorative candles and merchandise (t-shirts, coins, pins, flags), and outreach to solicit historical photos and resident memories. Staff identified Bill Gentry Park as a potential primary venue for a larger signature event in mid-October to avoid summer heat.

Staff also noted logistical considerations: drone shows, flyovers and tethered hot-air elements require staging, fall zones and vendor contracting; some ideas may be limited by available open space at candidate parks. The presentation said staff is forming a steering committee composed of multiple departments and partners to oversee programming and that public-relations staff will solicit resident photos and historical material for a yearlong campaign.

Councilmembers offered suggestions and support. Mayor Hermosillo and Vice Mayor Parsons both praised the logo and the concept; Councilmember Gentry urged inclusion of a daytime parade, drawing on childhood memories of community parades. Councilmember Nora McDaniel and others suggested involving schools and local artists in murals and banners; several councilmembers supported the proposed yearlong approach and asked staff to expand community involvement. One councilmember cautioned that a military flyover would present scheduling challenges, and staff acknowledged those logistics.

No formal action or final contract awards occurred at the work session; staff requested feedback and said they will continue planning, pursue sponsorships and return with more detailed cost estimates and implementation plans.