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Surprise commission previews VetFest move to stadium as city prepares to host traveling "Wall That Heals" April 9—12
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Summary
City staff told the Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission that VetFest will be held at Surprise Stadium (April 11, 5—8 p.m.) and that Surprise will host the traveling "Wall That Heals" April 9—12; staff outlined volunteer, registration and ceremony planning and asked commissioners to help recruit speakers, volunteers and community groups.
Staff for the Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission told members that VetFest will move from Mark Coronado Park to the Surprise Stadium concourse this year and remain on Saturday, April 11, with an evening program from 5 to 8 p.m.
The move is coordinated with the city's hosting of the traveling Vietnam memorial "The Wall That Heals," a multi-day exhibit the staff said will be on site April 9 through April 12. Staff emphasized the city intends to treat the wall with "honor and dignity" and to keep VetFest activities off the immediate memorial path while using the stadium concourse to accommodate vendors and attendees.
City staff described an "In Memory Program" that will allow families to register the names of Vietnam-era veterans not listed on the national memorial for temporary display with the traveling wall. Staff said the site will be staffed 24 hours while on view, that trained tour guides and registration assistance will be available at the resource center and library, and that the city expects visitors from across the region because Surprise is one of the few Western U.S. host sites this year.
Commissioners discussed logistics including vendor capacity (the city recorded roughly 75 vendors last year), volunteer committees (tour guides, volunteers for continuous staffing, a VIP/escort committee), and speaker selection. Staff asked commissioners to submit names for speakers and possible emcees and described coordination with the parks and sports-entertainment teams. At least one commissioner suggested outreach to local businesses and veteran rider groups; staff confirmed contacts with VFW posts are in progress.
Commissioners also discussed the possibility of a flyover coordinated with Luke Air Force Base during VetFest; staff said such aviation participation requires coordination with military authorities and that timing and route approvals are still being finalized.
Staff said additional planning details (a QR code and a city web page with registration info were circulated to commissioners) and that the city will follow up with a deeper briefing from sports, entertainment and culture staff (including Travis Ashby and Cece) at a future Roundtable meeting.
During the same meeting commissioners approved the Nov. 12, 2025 meeting minutes as amended by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will circulate contact lists and the In Memory registration materials and ask commissioners to help recruit volunteers, speakers and community groups for April events.
