Newsletter 001 September 17th - 23rd, 2026
Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for even more Goodyear updates, events, new businesses, local finds, and things to do throughout the week!
Thursday, Sept 17 • 10AM - 11AM • FREE
Goodyear City Hall Chambers
1900 N Civic Sq, Goodyear 85395
Learn about the history of U.S. 80 in Arizona with David Rookhuyzen, host of AZ: The History of Arizona.
Friday & Saturday, Sept 18 & 19 • 8:30 PM–12:30 AM
1971 N Globe Dr, Goodyear, AZ 85395
Nathan Dean & the Damn Band and In Color Band
Saturday, Sept 19 • 8:30 AM–12 PM
Estrella Mountain Regional Park - meet at the Nature Center
14805 W. Vineyard Ave. Goodyear, AZ 85338
Join a hands-on butterfly monitoring program and help document local species for science. Bring water, a snack, a hat, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes. Binoculars, a camera, or a butterfly ID book are optional. Be prepared for a hike through the desert.
Saturday, Sept 19 • 5PM - 10PM • $5 Entry (Under 6 Free)
Goodyear Ballpark — Lot 4
1933 S Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338
100+ bookish vendors, Author Row, Bookish eats & treats, Community Book Swap, Bookish Scavenger Hunt, Live music by Russell Alan
Tuesday, Sept 22 • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Desert Edge High School (@ Cafeteria & Patio)
15778 W. Yuma Rd. Goodyear, AZ 85338
Explore what’s next after high school! Meet representatives from 50+ colleges, universities, trade schools, military branches, and career organizations. Students of all grade levels can ask questions, explore their options, and start planning for the future.
Find your team and purchase tickets here or at the door.
Friday Night Lights
9/18/2026
Estrella Foothills vs. North Canyon
@ 7 PM📍 Estrella Foothills High School
Desert Edge vs. ALA–Gilbert North
@ 7 PM📍 Desert Edge High School
Trivium Prep vs. Heritage Academy Laveen
@ 7 PM📍 Trivium Preparatory Academy
Want to see every game?
👉 View the full Goodyear high schools sports schedule here.
🏈 LAST WEEK'S SCORES
Millennium 55, Agua Fria 0
Trivium Prep 52, Highland Prep 0
Estrella Foothills 47, Westview 0 (Thursday)
Desert Edge 46, Notre Dame Prep 7 (Thursday)
More New Businesses Coming to GSQ
GSQ continues to grow, with six new businesses recently announced for the mixed-use development surrounding Goodyear Civic Square near McDowell Road. The latest additions include Sephora, J.Crew Factory Outlet, Lovesac, Postino, Miel de Agave, and V’s Barbershop.
The new businesses will join the growing lineup of shops, restaurants and services coming to GSQ, adding even more options to the area.
Click here to learn more.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is officially open at GSQ! 🎉
The new restaurant is now serving up wood-fired steaks, seafood, burgers and more near Goodyear Civic Square.
Another new spot to add to your Goodyear dining list! Click here for more details.
Coming to Virginia Ave. & PebbleCreek Pkwy: Terrible’s Gas Station & Convenience Store
Construction is underway on a new Terrible’s convenience store and gas station at the southeast corner of Virginia Avenue and PebbleCreek Parkway. The project will include a roughly 5,200-square-foot store and eight fueling positions.
Fire Station 189 Coming to Goodyear
A new Goodyear fire station is in the works! Fire Station 189, planned near Indian School Road and Citrus Road, is currently scheduled for completion in June 2027. The new station will add another fire and emergency-response location as Goodyear continues to grow.
Desert Rainbow Solar Project Approved
Goodyear City Council has approved the Desert Rainbow Solar Project, a massive solar and battery-storage development planned for about 5,050 acres in south Goodyear’s Rainbow Valley. The project is expected to generate up to 550 megawatts of solar power and include 550 megawatts of battery storage. Construction is currently projected to begin in 2029. Source
Estrella Parkway Repaving
Drivers using Estrella Parkway should expect construction from McDowell Road to Van Buren Street from September 14 through November 4. Crews will replace the top two inches of asphalt to improve safety and extend the life of the roadway. During construction, Estrella Parkway will be reduced to one lane in each direction, with additional restrictions from 6–10 pm. For project details and other Goodyear paving projects, visit the city’s Pavement Preservation page.
🍴 EAT THIS WEEK
14970 W. Indian School Rd, Goodyear, AZ 85395
(623) 236-3362
I love this place when I need a little break from the usual dinner rotation. I especially recommend the chicken satay and the seafood yellow curry!
✨ LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
14950 W. Indian School Road #138, Goodyear, AZ 85395
(623) 248-1771
I love stopping by Blush & Cactus when I’m looking for something a little different. They have a great mix of clothes and accessories. I especially appreciate that they carry Judy Blue jeans.
3rd Fridays at The PLACE • Free Admission — Tolleson
Friday, Sept. 18 • 6–9:30 PM • 9257 W. Van Buren St
Head to downtown Tolleson for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with live music, cultural performances, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities. Click here for more information.
Somos Peoria Taco Fest • Free Admission — Peoria
Sunday, Sept. 20 • 3-6PM • Paloma Park 29799 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy
Come hungry! Peoria’s first Taco Fest will feature local taco vendors competing for the title of Peoria’s Best Taco, plus live music from Guitarras Latinas and family-friendly activities. Click here for more information.
Ballet Under the Stars
Friday, September 25 • 5–9 PM • Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater
Enjoy an evening of professional ballet under the stars, along with food trucks, crafts and giveaways. A fun one to put on the calendar now.
Ritmos Y Raices | Rhythm and Roots
Saturday, October 10 • 5–9 PM • Goodyear Ballpark
Celebrate Hispanic heritage with live cultural performances, Lucha Libre wrestling, local vendors, and more at this fun community event.
And that’s a wrap on the very first issue of What’s Up Goodyear! 🎉 I’m so excited to finally get this newsletter out into the world, and I hope you found something fun to do, a new place to check out, or maybe learned something new about what’s happening around the city.
Thanks for being here from the very beginning and supporting this local newsletter. I’ll be back next week with more of what’s happening around Goodyear! 💛
Have a great week, Goodyear! Get out there and explore your city!
P.S. Have an event, local news, opening, or something else you think I should include? I’d love to hear about it! Just hit reply and send it my way. 👋