Hello downtown people! It’s T.J. Triolo, your guide to downtown Phoenix. As we get deeper into February, I have some more events that you’ll love. This is after all the season love, so go ahead, love these events and go to them!
Chinese Culture & Cuisine Festival
Friday Feb. 8–Sunday Feb. 10
9 a.m.–3 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Margaret T. Hance Park
1202 N. Third St.
Here’s a fun fact: Phoenix has sister cities in China and Taiwan. This festival honors that partnership and the Chinese New Year, featuring traditional dragon and lion dances, Chinese Culture and History Booth, kids’ activities and more. I can’t help but think of pigs here, since apparently this Chinese New Year is the Year of the Pig. Admission is free.
Cupid’s Chase
Saturday Feb. 9
Registration opens at 6 a.m., race starts at 8 a.m.
Cesar Chavez Plaza
201 W. Washington St.
This is a 5k trip to raise money for people with disabilities. What you do to complete the trip all depends on what you want to do! If you want to push a baby stroller with your kid in it, go ahead. If you want to use a wheelchair, go ahead. If you want to run … Well, you get the picture. Go ahead and register today, get people to sponsor you and help out the cause!
1MISSION Bikes Fight Poverty Ride
Saturday Feb. 9
Starts at 6:30 a.m.
CityScape
1 E. Washington St.
1MISSION is a name I’m kind of familiar with. The youth group I went to in high school did a mission trip every year with them. This bike ride takes you from downtown Phoenix to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, where 1MISSION builds houses for people in poverty who can’t afford decent shelter. If you think you’re a fit cyclist, prove it on this crazy long trip! Registration costs $250 with a $500 fundraising minimum.
World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Saturday Feb. 9 and Sunday Feb. 10
9 a.m.–5 p.m. each day
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
Hoop dancing is a really impressive form of dancing and a part of Native Americans’ traditions. It involves balancing hoops and swinging them around in ways that I can’t imagine doing. These people would put me, and almost everyone else who tries hoop dancing, to shame. Admission costs $18 for adults.
Willo Historic Home Tour
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday Feb. 10
Willo Historic District
Third Avenue and W. Monte Vista Road
Here’s a chance to see historic homes. I don’t just mean a few either; there are 10 places to see on this tour! I like historic, nicely restored homes, which describes all these places. This also includes a street fair with local vendors. It’s a great chance to see some nice old houses in the community. Tickets cost $18 per person.
Contact the reporter at thomas.triolo@asu.edu.
Downtown Devil's community section editor. I also write the Downtown Digest, a weekly column with things to do, with experience writing news articles and creating news videos as well. Graduating from ASU in May 2020.
