Three Armenian schools in the Pasadena area are splitting $30,000 raised at this year's Pasadena Armenian Festival, with one recipient still rebuilding after the Eaton Fire destroyed its Altadena campus.

The Pasadena Armenian Festival Committee presented checks of $10,000 each to St. Gregory A. & M. Hovsepian School, Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School, and Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Armenian Preschool and Kindergarten during a ceremony on Thursday, June 25, according to Pasadena Weekly.

The money came from profits generated by the second annual festival, held in May at Victory Park. Organizers estimated 5,000 to 7,500 people attended, up from 3,000 to 5,000 at the inaugural 2024 festival.

"When we see big numbers like that, it's very encouraging, because we know that those aren't just our community members attending, those are non-Armenians attending," said Aleksan Giragosian, a festival committee member.

A school without a campus

Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School lost its Altadena building in the Eaton Fire, which destroyed more than 9,400 structures in January 2025. The school is temporarily operating at the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Cultural Center, located across from Victory Park, while its campus is rebuilt.

Each school decides how to spend its $10,000 on operational costs or other priorities, Giragosian said.

How the festival works

More than 25 Armenian organizations throughout Pasadena participate in the festival. Each contributing group pays $500 to help cover expenses; profits after those costs go to the schools.

This year's festival featured 75 vendors, 22 stage performances, additional food options, and a larger marketing campaign compared to the first year. Giragosian said the event has helped bridge divides between Armenian organizations that typically operate independently.

What's next

The third annual Pasadena Armenian Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2027. The committee hopes to return to Victory Park and double donations to $20,000 per school. Planned additions include a second interactive stage with demonstrations of Armenian instruments, chess, and traditional arts. The committee is also considering a chess grandmaster exhibition where one grandmaster would play 20 simultaneous games against attendees.

Residents interested in volunteering or sharing ideas for the 2027 festival can reach the committee at [email protected].