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El Mirage outlines 75th anniversary plans: murals, three‑day festival and a $26,000 drone show proposed
Summary
City staff presented a range of events for El Mirage’s 75th anniversary including a three‑day festival at Bill Gentry Park, a proposed mural program with West Valley Arts Council, and a vendor bid of $26,000 for a 12–15 minute drone show; council asked for budget detail and next steps.
El Mirage staff presented a broad update on planned events and outreach for the city’s 75th anniversary, proposing public art, marketing campaigns and a three‑day fall festival centered on Bill Gentry Park.
Shelley and Parks Director Sean walked council members through promotional plans (social media, flyers, utility bill inserts), a historic photo call, small and large candle installations, street pole banners and giveaways. Staff described a proposed mural program — ‘Greetings from El Mirage’ — and presented the West Valley Arts Council as a potential partner to run a call for artists, selection panel and installation. Kathy Knecht, executive director of the West Valley Arts Council, told council the council could commission original art and use digitized vinyl to reduce costs and simplify maintenance. Staff said the fiscal year 2026 placeholder for a mural was not to exceed $25,000 and that the arts council’s management fee would be about 20% of the project cost.
Festival and drone show: staff proposed combining existing fall events into a three‑day celebration (October 22 kickoff, daytime and evening activities the following days) with a legacy parade, bands, food vendors and family programming. For the event’s culminating entertainment, staff recommended a drone show as a fireworks alternative; the vendor OpenSky submitted the low bid and staff said the cost in the proposal is $26,000. Council asked about show length and staff said the vendor’s proposal indicates roughly a 12–15 minute show. Staff noted the vendor handles permitting and safety work for the launch at El Mirage Elementary School, visible from Bill Gentry Park.
Budget and procurement questions: councilors asked about mural durability in Arizona weather, stipend and payment structures for artist finalists, and the breakdown of the $25,000 placeholder. West Valley Arts Council explained finalists would be paid to develop concepts and the selected artwork would be owned by the city. Council asked staff to bring an agreement back if there is consensus; staff said both the mural partnership and the drone contract would be placed on a council agenda for formal action.
What happens next: staff asked for council consensus to proceed with agreements and to include the Basin Park concept and master plan priorities in upcoming capital planning discussions. Both the mural partnership and the drone vendor contract were presented as items to be considered on the council agenda; no contract approvals were recorded during the work session.
