Now in its 36th year, the “Taste of Armenia Street Fair” Sunday at St. James Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Evanston offered a rich celebration of Armenian food and culture.
The church is located on Clark Street between Benson and Sherman in the north suburb.
“What started as a picnic in Harms Woods in 1988, has become our largest annual fundraiser for the church with proceeds supporting outreach programs here and in Armenia,” said the Rev. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, pastor of St. James.
Live Armenian music by Mid-East Beat, dance performances by the Hamazkayin Sardarabad Dance Ensemble and the Siragan Armenian Dance Company of Chicago, cultural artifacts and hand-crafted cultural items for sale, a silent auction, a raffle and church viewings were all part of the afternoon’s festivities.
“Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion,” said Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan.
“Today we come together to worship and to celebrate as a community, and to take the message of Christianity out of the doors of the church and onto the street,” he added.
According to event co-chairs Gevik Anbarchian and Larry Farsakian, the fair brings the Armenian community closer together while allowing the St. James parish to reach out to its Evanston neighbors.
“The festival is a chance for us to increase the visibility of St. James Church in the Evanston community,” Anbarchian said.
Anbarchian says planning for the festival begins in May.
“The menu and food preparation are coordinated by Levon Kirakosyan, owner of Siunik Armenian Grill in Glenview, who oversees approximately a hundred volunteers,”
Anbarchian said.
Armenian favorites included hummus, tabouleh, baba ghanous, Armenian marinated and grilled chicken breast, kula kebab served with rice pilaf, and boereg, a layered
phyllo pastry filled with spinach or cheese.
Mike Collinsworth, of Evanston, attended the Taste of Armenia Street Fair.
“I grew up in a homogenous hometown in Indiana. This is my favorite festival. I love to experience the flavors and the customs of other cultures, and the food is delicious,” Collinsworth said.
Anahid Korogluyan, of Highland Park, attended Sunday.
“My husband and I were married in St. James Church, and coming to the Taste of Armenia Fair feels like coming together to celebrate with family,” Korogluyan said.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer.
