Santa's Theme Park: Food, Fontanini and Light Displays

Out of everything that Santa's Theme Park offers the Phoenix area, I think the very best thing about it is the life size Fontanini nativity scene that they have setup near the middle of the park. Ever since I was little, my family had a tiny nativity scene that sat on our coffee table each holiday season, with 2-3 figures added every year as a family tradition. Last year when I first went to Santa's Theme Park, I just about lost it when I looked up and saw the same scene that had grown on my mothers coffee table standing before me life sized. If you've never heard of Fontanini figurines, they are the figures in the attached picture; they are completely unique and very beautiful.

Okay, enough of my heartfelt rant and onto what's on every guys mind, food! Greasy, deep fried, vein clogging delicacies that should never be eaten by anyone that plans on living past 30. Just like any state fair, you can find food vendors selling your favorite deep fried, carnival only treats. If you are a fan of Indian fry bread though I will warn you now, there is only one fry bread stand at Santa's Theme Park and it's not that great. I grabbed a turkey leg from one of the vendors that was small enough to belong to a large chicken, and Krystina got fries from the same place. While I was disappointed with the Turkey leg, the fries they sold were battered in seasoning and absolutely mouth-watering. I don't remember the name of the place but it was a huge red tent near the middle of the park.

While you're munching on any of the various food at the theme park, take a stroll down the first part of the park. The whole street is lined with huge light displays and little animatronic scenes that show Santa's workshop, scenes from A Christmas Carol, and other Christmas scenes. The light displays are really cool and done with a distinctive Arizona flair. You'll see palm trees lined with glittering lights, and wire saguaro cacti covered in bright green lights. There's even a convertible driven by Santa himself! A bit further down the way you'll run into a huge mailbox where kids can drop their letters to Santa to have them delivered straight to the North pole. Keep an eye out while you walk through this whole area and if you're lucky you'll catch a few of the wandering street performers as well.

So if you're looking for beautiful light displays and charming scenes featuring your favorite childhood memories be sure to hit this area of Santa's Theme Park. If you were raised on Fontanini nativity figures like I was, the trip and admission is worth it just to see the life sized display. The food is great carnival food and the street performers are so odd they'll have you holding your sides trying not to choke on your churro!