Metro Detroit's 16th Annual Armenia Festival Draws Large Crowds

ROYAL OAK, Mich. — On a beautiful, mild summer evening in July, the Metro Detroit Armenia Fest Committee, in partnership with the Detroit Knights of Vartan, hosted the 16th annual Armenia Festival at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

Ribbon cutting with Armenian Festival Committee members and guests, left to right: Hagop Alexanian, Pam Coultis, Michael Schmid (representing Senator Gary Peters), Greg Mamassian, Vaughn Masropian, Co-Chair David Terzibashian, Monica Hunt (Mayor Pro Tempore of Royal Oak), Madeline Thomasian, Corinne Khederian, Angela Hagopian Snow, Noreen Masropian, Elise Papazian (Committee members not pictured: Co-Chair Ed Bedikian, Ray Boujoulian, Paul Kulhanjian, Ken Khezarjian)

The festival opened with the singing of the American and Armenian national anthems, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by special guests including Royal Oak Mayor Pro Tempore Monica Hunt and Senator Gary Peters’ district representative Michael Schmid. Festival Co-Chair David Terzibashian welcomed attendees, Hunt extended greetings from the City of Royal Oak, and Schmid extended the Senator’s warm wishes for a successful evening.

Major donors who helped make this year’s festival possible included the Hagopian World of Rugs, the Mardigian Foundation, the Robert Ajemian Foundation, Mark Artinian for Crispelli’s Bakery and Pizzeria, the Herman Hintiryan family, and Helen Parnagian Corrigan.

Armenia Fest Raffle Co-Chairs Angela Hagopian Snow and Elise Papazian

The popular silent auction, chaired by Angela Hagopian Snow and Elise Papazian, featured beautiful gifts from generous donors that were displayed throughout the festival, with winning bidders announced at the end of the evening.

Women’s Guild of St. John’s Armenian Church

Among the many vendors in attendance were the St. John Ladies Guild, St. Sarkis Ladies Guild, and the Detroit Armenia Women’s Club, all offering delicious homemade Armenian pastries and breads. Other food vendors offering mouthwatering Armenian appetizers and dinners included Gary Reizian’s Uptown Catering, Farm Grill, Armenian Congregational Church, Elizabeth Boladian, and Mr. Basterma.

Ladies Guild of the Armenian Church of St. Sarkis

Other festival participants and booths included artist Zabel Belian and her son Ara, the Daughters and Knights of Vartan, the Armenian Community Center, and the Armenian Heritage Cruise, Manoogian Manor. Face painting and “Mr. Mouse” brought joy to the children in attendance.