The St. Sahag Armenian Church community in St. Paul gathered over the weekend to celebrate their Armenian heritage and faith — and to share those traditions with their friends and neighbors.

The church's annual Armenian Festival featured dancing, music and presentations on Armenian history — along with traditional Armenian food and Armenian coffee.

As with so many community events, this year's Armenian Festival marked a return to an in-person celebration after the pandemic forced changes to last year's festival. In 2020 the church offered Armenian food to-go, and hosted virtual presentations on Armenian heritage.

But this year’s in-person celebration was a go, under sunny skies and amid summer-like conditions. The festival took place just ahead of another Armenian celebration — Armenia Independence Day on Tuesday.