To experience the true essence of Japanese culture, visit the Arizona Matsuri Festival of Japan in downtown Phoenix every February. This popular event is one of the biggest Japanese festivals in the US, featuring over 60 vendors offering food and merchandise and exhibits by local schools, universities, and organizations. This event has four stages to witness thrilling performances, including Taiko drumming, martial arts displays, and traditional Japanese dance shows. The best part? It's completely free, and there are plenty of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. This is an incredible opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Japan's vibrant culture and make unforgettable memories.
To experience the magic of candy making, visit the Cerreta Candy Company. This family-owned business has been making delicious treats for over 50 years. They offer public tours of their factory, where you can watch as vats of chocolate are poured into delicate molds to create mouth-watering candies. You'll be able to hear the popcorn popping before it gets coated in luscious caramel. The Cerreta family has passed down their candy-making skills for four generations, and they continue to oversee production and operations. You can watch them make a variety of caramels, fudge, brittle's, Camelback's, and caramel popcorn. They combine modern and old-fashioned candy-making techniques to create popular chocolate-covered creams such as butter, maple, fudge, or peppermint. They specialize in molded chocolates like the famous French Mint and the Chocolate Enrober, where creams, caramels, pretzels, cherries, and marshmallows get covered in luscious chocolate.
Ice Den is the perfect place for you if you're looking for a fun and exciting way to stay active and improve your skills. With a wide range of programs for all ages and skill levels, there's something for everyone. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or a seasoned skater looking to take your skills to the next level, you'll find everything you need at Ice Den. From public skating sessions to nationally recognized Learn to Skate programs, there's no shortage of opportunities to hone your skills. And if you're a hockey fan, you'll love the Coyotes Development Program, which provides essential skill development and introduces team play concepts in a fun and supportive environment.