The Armenian Festival of Orange County
PO Box 3136
Laguna Hills, CA 92654-3136

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kalajian
Tom@ArmenianFestival.org
(949) 309-2900 Ext 17 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Contact: Seta Mergeanian
Seta@ArmenianFestival.org
(949) 309-2900 Ext 15 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Contact: Paul Aslanian
Paul@ArmenianFestival.org
(949) 309-2900 Ext 11 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Images available for download at

September 20, 2007

Armenians Now Represented In Annual Multicultural Festival Hosted by the
City of Irvine, California

IRVINE, CA – Organizers of the Armenian Festival of Orange County have
established a partnering relationship with the City of Irvine,
California, to present Armenia, its history, culture, and tourism and
business opportunities. Along with other countries in the City’s
annual Multicultural Festival, Armenians will now be represented in full
measure where over 10,000 visitors are expected. The festival will be
held on Saturday, September 29 at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps
Memorial Park, 4 Civic Center Plaza, located adjacent to the Irvine
Civic Center at the corner of Barranca Parkway and Harvard, beginning at
10:00 AM until 6:00 PM.

Festival admission is free. Food court tasting tickets are available
for purchase at the event. For more information and parking locations,
call (949) 724-6606 or visit

Now in its sixth year, Irvine’s multifaceted festival features
international cuisine, live entertainment, children’s activities,
cultural exhibits and demonstrations, and a world marketplace. One of
the City’s most popular events, the festival is a wonderful
opportunity for people to experience and share the cultural traditions
of their friends and neighbors.

`We’re very pleased to be a part of the Irvine Multicultural
Festival this year, said Armenian Festival Executive Director Paul
Aslanian. `With the experience we have gained establishing our own
festival, this was a natural fit,’ he continued. Aslanian was
referring to the 3rd Annual Armenian Festival which is to be held later
in Laguna Hills, CA on the weekend of October 13 and 14 at the Laguna
Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA at the
corner of Paseo de Valencia, about 1 mile west of the Alicia exit on
the 5 freeway.

`Within two weeks of each other, the Orange County community will
learn about Armenians in two festivals,’ explained veteran festival
organizer Tom Kalajian. `Two years ago, there were none,’ he
explained. `Our executive committee has worked closely together for
two years, so we can establish and organize events very quickly now.
We’ve still amazed by the outpouring of support and good wishes of the
community,’ he continued.

Irvine city officials learned of the work of the Armenian Festival and
realized collaboration between the two events would enhance the
diversity of the City’s annual celebration of cultures. `This was a
sudden and pleasant opportunity to expand the awareness of the Irvine
community,’ said Kalajian. Aslanian agrees. `We think Armenians
should be accurately portrayed as hard working citizens who have a
unique cultural perspective to offer,’ he said.

Providing important information about tourism and business opportunities
will be offices of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia.
`Since tourism is a major part of the Armenian economy, the Irvine
Multicultural Festival is an ideal showcase for promoting travel to
Armenia, and introducing business opportunities, especially in the field
of Information Technology,’ an official stressed. `Our purposes are
mutually aligned,’ he said.

Planned are also youth musicians and samples of authentic Armenian food.
`We are receiving assistance from sources we never expected,’ said
Harry Krikorian of the Armenian Festival Executive Committee. `It’s
as though doors are opening for us automatically,’ he said. `It’s
wonderful to working in this positive atmosphere,’ he continued.

Originally conceived by Executive Director Paul Aslanian and a few
friends in 2005, the Armenian Festival of Orange County has been
successful every year. The festival is a non-denominational,
non-political, all-inclusive, not-for-profit organization administered
by non-affiliated independent unpaid volunteers.

The Armenian Festival’s colorful flyer, applications for booth
reservations, volunteers or information for sponsors, a photo gallery of
prior festivals, letters of appreciation and congratulations, and much
more information is available by visiting the Festival’s web site at
or by telephoning the 24-hour information
hotline at either (949) 309-2900 or toll-free at (888) HYE-FEST
(493-3378).

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