GLENDALE–The third annual Armenian Relief Society (ARS) festival proved to be yet another year of success–providing delicious food–rousing music–arts and crafts–and spontaneous dancing. Over 7,000 people passed through the doors of the Glendale Civic Auditorium–for the two-day weekend festival–May 15-16.
The festival drew in a mixed crowd of both Armenia’s and non-Armenia’s who shared the rich Armenian cultural experience with their children–grandchildren–and friends. The upper level of the auditorium was filled to capacity with people eager to watch the dancing and view the Armenian clothes modeled by local teenagers.
Vendors lined the auditorium–selling artwork–ceramics–jewelry–T-shirts–food–drinks–books–clothes–and desserts. Informational displays were available on the lower level of the auditorium–filled with postcards and stamps from Armenia and pictures of the country’s men and women and their fashion from different eras.
Through the festivities–the ARS was able to fulfill a sense of pride and tradition for Armenia’s and non-Armenia’s alike.