COVID-19 may have caused Armenian Fest to look different this year, but the support and delicious food remained the same. Parishioners from Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence, Rhode Island, wanted to continue the tradition of providing their local Armenian community with the food and pastry they know and love. For weeks, the parishioners of the church were cooking and preparing just a fraction of the delicious food and pastry that is typically sold during the Armenian Fest. The workforce may have been smaller this year due to safety guidelines, but the quality and quantity of food was still remarkable. Everything was individually boxed and wrapped ahead of time for ease and safety on the day of Armenian Fest “To Go.”
A wonderful amount of help ensured the event was as safe and efficient as possible. Seven Armenia Street and the parking lot behind the church were used as a drive-through lane for food pickup. All orders were placed online prior to the event so there would be no exchange of cash and so that the proper amount of food could be made, packaged, and readily available. People were able to remain in their cars, pull up, receive their food, and drive home. By the end of the day, more than 500 meals were served to appreciative patrons, along with hundreds of pastries and delicacies. The look was different, but the success was great anyway.