ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY OF WESTERN U.S.A., INC.
Contact: Boghos Patatian
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91202-2812
Email: office@arswestusa.org
Tel: 818-500-1343
Fax: 818-242-3732
Web:

ARS-WR TO HOST ITS 8th ANNUAL ARMENIAN FOOD AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Thousands Expected to Attend and Celebrate the 99th Anniversary of the
Organization’s Establishment

GLENDALE, CA – Months of hard work, planning and preparation have culminated
in the exiting opportunity for The Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A.
to finally announce that all of the hard work poured into the organization
of the 8th Annual 2009 ARS Armenian Cultural and Food Festival, celebrating
the 99th Anniversary of the establishment of the A.R.S., is complete and its
organizers cordially invite the public to attend this very important,
enriching and one-of-a-kind community-wide event.

Scheduled to be held at Glendale Civic Auditorium as in years past, the 8th
Annual 2009 ARS Armenian Cultural and Food Festival is expected to draw over
3000 to 4000 people will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 at the Glendale
Civic Auditorium located at 1401 North Verdugo Road, Glendale (the cross
street is East Mountain Street). The festival’s doors open and the non-stop
entertainment begins at 10:00AM in the morning and the entertainment and
festivities continue on all day until 11:00PM in the evening. The Festival’s
official opening ceremonies will take place at 1:00PM. Admission is $5 for
the public (very young children are admitted free of charge).

This Annual festival is intended to expose its attendees to the rich and
robust traditions of Armenian hospitality and culture; offering them the
merriment of many traditional festivities, along with: an Armenian Costume
Show; the opportunity to have their picture or their children’s picture
taken in traditional Armenian costumes; learn to dance with Armenian dance
groups; learn how traditional "lavash" bread and string cheese is prepared;
listen and dance to lively music performed by contemporary adult and
children’s entertainers; and roaming around unique exhibits of local and
Armenian products such as books, arts and crafts, food and drinks.

The festival is an ideal place to bring the community and three generations
of families together, all under one roof, for a relaxing, culturally
enriching and enjoyable outing, where Armenian music, art, dance, history,
and culinary heritage are prominently and proudly showcased and displayed
alongside children’s games and entertainment. All of the interesting and
informative programming enjoyed by Armenians and non-Armenians alike in
years past will return, along with expanded activities and games for young
children.

Unparalleled in the sheer volume of services it provides, the Armenian
Relief Society, Inc. is the oldest and largest Armenian women’s humanitarian
organization of its kind within Armenia and throughout the Diaspora. It is
an independent, non-governmental and non-sectarian philanthropic
organization which serves the humanitarian needs of the Armenian people and
seeks to preserve the cultural identity of the Armenian nation, whenever and
wherever the need arises, and to bring educational and humanitarian help to
all communities in distress –Armenian and non-Armenian alike. Over course
of the century since its founding in New York City New York, in 1910, the
organization has in the past and continues to serve the world by: feeding
and clothing the needy, supporting schools and after-school programs,
helping the elderly, sponsoring orphans, and empowering women. Since its
founding the ARS has continually expanded and currently has chapters and
entities in 26 countries. The establishment of the first two ARS-WR chapters
west of the Mississippi River occurred in Fresno in 1915 and Hollywood 1918.

Established in 1984, The ARS of Western USA, is one of the 12 regions of the
ARS international. Its regional operations are coordinated through its
regional office in Glendale, CA. The Region has 26 chapters, 5 Social
Service Offices, Child Youth and Family Guidance Center, fifteen Saturday
Schools and after school programs and the list goes on. Its Social Services
and the Guidance Centers are open to every member of our community,
Armenians and non-Armenians alike. It also maintains several programs in
Armenia and Artsakh such as: the "Sponsor a Child Program," "Food for
Orphans Project" as well as other humanitarian assistance programs in the
region. During its 100-year history, the ARS has worked faithfully and
tirelessly to meet the social, humanitarian, educational, and cultural needs
of the Armenian people, in both the Diaspora and in Armenia. It has
established schools, social service centers, youth camps, and day care
kindergartens across the globe and recently extended its role in the
international forum by becoming a roster member of the United Nations’
Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC) and an active participant in ECOSOC’s
many working groups.

Anyone seeking further information or details, is encouraged to visit our
website at or contact the ARS-WR Executive Headquarters
at (818) 500-1343, (818) 242-3732 (fax) or email us at:
office@arswestusa.org.