September 30, 2016
On Friday, September 30th over 250 people arrived at the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Center for Pasadena-Glendale Chapter’s 2nd Annual Armenian Fest Opening Night. The evening started with basketball games for both boys and girls teams in the gym. Next door, in Boyajian Hall, a professional Magician, Brian Hoffman, entertained over 90 children as they danced, sang, and played through the night. On the other side of the center, in Bardez, there was a full crowd enjoying the dinner hosted by the Young Ladies Committee and the music of talented singer and guitarist, Zaven Batanian.
On Saturday, the gym housed 11 games including basketball, volleyball, and futsal. Outside in the parking lot, 10 vendors attended the festival between the hours of 12pm and 10pm. The day was mainly filled with games and meals at brunch and dinner.
On Sunday morning, the Tarouhy-Hovagimian Alumni group hosted a successful breakfast for over 150 people in Boyajian Hall. The day continued with more athletics games until it was time for the closing ceremony.
The closing ceremony started with Pasadena-Glendale Chapter Chair, Hrant Vartzbedian, welcoming the San Fernando Valley Scouts and Marching Band. The band led the scouts into the gym under the Armenian National Anthem as well as the AGBU and AYA anthems. The AGBU athletes, who participated in the games over the weekend, and the Iraqi-Armenian Futsal team, followed the scouts into the gym as the audience gave them all a standing ovation. Vartzbedian then thanked the special committee that helped organize this event including, Vahe Boynerian, Krikor Demirdjian, Shoghig Vartzbedian, Nellie Yacoubian, and John Cholakian (Representing the Iraqi Armenian Family Association). He invited Father Sarkis Petoyan to the podium for his remarks on behalf of the Western Diocese of the Aremenian Church. After the Priest’s witty speech, Talin Yacoubian, Esq., Western District Committee Chair, was invited to the stage to present a trophy to the Iraq-Armenian Futsal team. In her speech, Yacoubian congratulated the Pasadena-Glendale Chapter for hosting a wonderful event and stated, “Here at AGBU we continue to strive to meet the needs of our entire community and our nation. There was something for everyone this weekend!” The Pasadena-Glendale Chapter succeeded in hosting a family friendly event that brought the community together. The cheers, chatter, and laughter of joyous families echoed from the center all weekend long.
The Western District would like to thank the Pasadena-Glendale Chapter and the special committee as well as Los Angeles-San Fernando Valley Chapter for their tireless efforts in hosting this weekend-long event. Moreover, the WD thanks all of the athletes and families who participated throughout the weekend. AGBU Western District feels lucky to have the opportunity to bring the community together every year for this Armenian Fest.