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THOUSANDS FLOCK TO THE ARMENIAN STREET FAIR & FESTIVAL
By Peter Friedman
Patch.com, MA
http://watertown.patch.com/articles/thousands-flock-to-the-armenian-street-fair-festival
Sept 12 2011
The Armenian Cultural and Educational Center's the second Annual
Armenian Street Fair & Festival was even bigger than last year.
The second annual Armenian Street Fair & Festival took over Nichols
Avenue in Watertown this weekend and featured Armenian music,
delectable regional cuisine, and a fun, educational experience for
the entire family.
According to Dr. Ara Nazarian, the chairman of the Kermesse Steering
Committee at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, the entire
event was "a huge success."
The success of the event is measured by funds raised but also by
"spreading awareness of the Armenian culture," said Nazarian, who
estimated at least 2,000 more festival-goers this year than last,
though the final numbers have not yet been tallied.
The weekend long event is one of the Armenian Cultural and Educational
Center (ACEC) largest and most significant fundraisers of the year,
which is a local Watertown registered non-profit organization in
Watertown. Last year was the annual event, and this year has been made
"bigger and better."
"This year we added new entertainment, and a whole new section outside
of the entertainment tents for which we were able to close off the
street," Nazarian said.
Throughout the weekend, the crowds enjoyed an eclectic assemblage
of musical entertainment that highlighted the diversity of Armenian
musical offerings. On both Saturday and Sunday, "DJ Ash" performed
club, pop and international music in the afternoons under the main
entertainment tent.
Some of the classic Armenian music including Armenchik, the John
Berberian Ensemble featuring Onnik Dinkjian, and the Arey Armenian
Folk Ensemble. On Saturday evening, the Armenian pop sensation Tata
Simonyan performed as the signature band under the main tent.
Michelle Blair of Watertown enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and
opportunity to learn about a new culture on a beautiful fall Sunday.
"It was something fun to do on a nice day, to get out of the house,
be around people, and learn a little about a new culture," Blair said.
One of the other main additions to the festival this year was a
children's entertainment zone, which was part of an effort to make
the event more friendly and welcoming for the entire family. Some
of the highlights of the "children's zone" included an inflatable
jousting zone and super slide.
Aside from the music and children's activities, one of the principle
reasons that the crowds flocked to Nichols Avenue was for the choice
Armenian food items. The menu included traditional Middle Eastern fare
such as humus, tabouleh, and beef, chicken, and pork khorovats, which
are more commonly known in the U.S. as kebabs. The desserts included
gargantag and nazook, as well as the popular Napoleon Pastry. Dr.
Nazarian noted that the volunteers charged with preparing the foods
worked tirelessly in preparation for the event.
"Some of the men and women responsible for preparing the food were
working two months in advance to get ready for this," said Nazarian.
It is estimated that there are currently around 50,000 Armenians
living in the greater Boston area, many of them in Watertown, one of
the largest Armenian hubs on the East Coast.
From: Baghdasarian
By Peter Friedman
Patch.com, MA
http://watertown.patch.com/articles/thousands-flock-to-the-armenian-street-fair-festival
Sept 12 2011
The Armenian Cultural and Educational Center's the second Annual
Armenian Street Fair & Festival was even bigger than last year.
The second annual Armenian Street Fair & Festival took over Nichols
Avenue in Watertown this weekend and featured Armenian music,
delectable regional cuisine, and a fun, educational experience for
the entire family.
According to Dr. Ara Nazarian, the chairman of the Kermesse Steering
Committee at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, the entire
event was "a huge success."
The success of the event is measured by funds raised but also by
"spreading awareness of the Armenian culture," said Nazarian, who
estimated at least 2,000 more festival-goers this year than last,
though the final numbers have not yet been tallied.
The weekend long event is one of the Armenian Cultural and Educational
Center (ACEC) largest and most significant fundraisers of the year,
which is a local Watertown registered non-profit organization in
Watertown. Last year was the annual event, and this year has been made
"bigger and better."
"This year we added new entertainment, and a whole new section outside
of the entertainment tents for which we were able to close off the
street," Nazarian said.
Throughout the weekend, the crowds enjoyed an eclectic assemblage
of musical entertainment that highlighted the diversity of Armenian
musical offerings. On both Saturday and Sunday, "DJ Ash" performed
club, pop and international music in the afternoons under the main
entertainment tent.
Some of the classic Armenian music including Armenchik, the John
Berberian Ensemble featuring Onnik Dinkjian, and the Arey Armenian
Folk Ensemble. On Saturday evening, the Armenian pop sensation Tata
Simonyan performed as the signature band under the main tent.
Michelle Blair of Watertown enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and
opportunity to learn about a new culture on a beautiful fall Sunday.
"It was something fun to do on a nice day, to get out of the house,
be around people, and learn a little about a new culture," Blair said.
One of the other main additions to the festival this year was a
children's entertainment zone, which was part of an effort to make
the event more friendly and welcoming for the entire family. Some
of the highlights of the "children's zone" included an inflatable
jousting zone and super slide.
Aside from the music and children's activities, one of the principle
reasons that the crowds flocked to Nichols Avenue was for the choice
Armenian food items. The menu included traditional Middle Eastern fare
such as humus, tabouleh, and beef, chicken, and pork khorovats, which
are more commonly known in the U.S. as kebabs. The desserts included
gargantag and nazook, as well as the popular Napoleon Pastry. Dr.
Nazarian noted that the volunteers charged with preparing the foods
worked tirelessly in preparation for the event.
"Some of the men and women responsible for preparing the food were
working two months in advance to get ready for this," said Nazarian.
It is estimated that there are currently around 50,000 Armenians
living in the greater Boston area, many of them in Watertown, one of
the largest Armenian hubs on the East Coast.
From: Baghdasarian