Superior Celebrates 50 Years at the 2026 State of the Town

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This October, Superior will celebrate a milestone 50 years in the making.

The 2026 State of the Town returns to Besich Park on Saturday, October 10, bringing the community together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Superior’s incorporation and look ahead to the town’s next chapter.

Hosted by Rebuild Superior, Inc. in partnership with the Town of Superior, this year’s event embraces the theme “Lift Off to Our Future” honoring the people and history that brought Superior to this moment while looking boldly toward the next 50 years.

Celebrating 50 Years of Superior

Superior officially incorporated as an Arizona municipality in 1976, although the community’s story reaches back much further. Town records also document 1976 as the year of incorporation.

At the time, the Magma Mine remained a major economic force in the community. Over the five decades that followed, Superior experienced significant change — from mine closures and periods of economic uncertainty to new businesses, tourism, community programs and efforts to breathe new life into historic places.

State of the Town 2022 - The Superior Spirit

In her message for this year’s State of the Town publication, Mayor Mila Besich reflects on that history as one marked by “resilience, reinvention and people working together” to move Superior forward.

That resilience was tested when the Magma Mine closed in 1982 and again as remaining BHP operations ended in the 1990s. Yet residents, businesses and community leaders continued finding new ways to adapt and invest in Superior’s future.

Old Places, New Possibilities

One of the clearest examples of Superior’s ability to reinvent itself can be found in the former Superior High School.

The historic 1925 school building has been transformed into the Superior Enterprise Center, where its role in preparing generations for the future continues in a new form through innovation, workforce development and job training.

State of the Town 2023 - The Superior Resolve

It is one example of a larger story unfolding throughout Superior: preserving the character and history that make the community distinct while creating room for new ideas and opportunities.

Rebuild Superior describes its State of the Town effort as a way to keep residents informed and encourage greater community involvement, part of the organization’s broader mission focused on Superior’s economic and community needs.

State of the Town 2024 - Super * Stars

Ready for the Next 50 Years

While this year’s event celebrates how far Superior has come, the theme is intentionally forward-looking.

The Mayor’s State of the Town message points toward a future that could include continued growth in tourism, mining, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, while emphasizing investment in young people who will become the community’s next generation of leaders and innovators.

State of the Town 2025 - Superior Soundtrack

As Mayor Besich writes:

“Together, we are Superior—and our future is ready for takeoff.”

For a town celebrating half a century of incorporation, the 2026 State of the Town is an opportunity to do both: remember where Superior has been and imagine where it might go next.

Join the Celebration

The community is invited to gather at Besich Park on Saturday, October 10 for an evening of celebration, community and a look toward Superior’s future.

2026 State of the Town

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Besich Park | 240 Main Street, Superior

6:00 PM — Reception, registration & light fare

6:30 PM — Program begins

8:00 PM — Live music & dancing

The event will be held outdoors. Guests are asked to RSVP to office@rebuildsuperioraz.org or through register HERE