Festival, 5K and Finest

Without a doubt, Saturday was one of the hottest days I’ve spent outdoors in some time. But I couldn’t resist heading down to Crescenta Valley Park for the inaugural Korean Armenian Cultural Festival. It was, after all, the only one of its kind in the nation if not the world.

Attendance Saturday was modest, understandable due to the hot temperatures. Sunday however was much more comfortable and I ended up staying at CV Park from 11 a.m. right until the end of the festival when the tug of war champs were named at 5 p.m.

I wasn’t the only one who figured out that Sunday was the best day to check out the festival. The grounds were busy almost all day with families stopping by to do some shopping or picking up something delicious to eat (I enjoyed a Korean barbecue combo). There were plenty of booths, too, filled with information and items for sale.

The park was beautifully decorated for the festival. Organizers had set up booths in a circle, all matching, giving the festival a unified, neat look. A stage was set under the trees to offer performers some shade. There was every type of music, from traditional Korean and Armenian to more modern tunes. Marital arts demonstrations were given and there were also several dance performances.

One of the most interesting things was a mock wedding done in traditional Armenian-style. The wedding party was in full customary dress, with headpieces and flowing, colorful gowns. Unfortunately I was a little too far away to see much, but I heard the joyful music and saw the dancing. It was really terrific.

Congratulations to the organizers of this breakthrough event. It was an ambitious undertaking that was a gift to the community.

I look forward to next year.

____________________

Taking part in the Running of the Foothills 5K Run/Walk may not be as ambitious as hosting the Korean Armenian Festival, but to those like me who have never taken part in an organized run/walk, it can still be daunting.

Regardless, Steve and I are looking to make our way over to Two Strike Park on Saturday morning to check in at 7 a.m. and lace up our shoes and walk (no running for me) the 5K route.

The run/walk is put on by the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce and the funds raised are donated to the CV Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition and the sports program at Rosemont Middle School. The cost is $20 and for that you get a
T-shirt, oranges to munch on and the opportunity to do something good for yourself.

I know that there are a lot of folks who enjoy running and walking the foothills. If you’re one, I hope you’ll plan to join me and a couple of hundred fellow Crescenta Valley-ians as we take to the streets early Saturday morning. Get there early!

____________________

Just a little teaser, but next week we roll out the names of the recipients of the inaugural CVW Finest 2012, those voted by CV Weekly readers as the finest businesses, people and services. The list is impressive – as are the winners – and I’m so excited to have the chance to introduce you to those that your friends and neighbors think are the finest. Some names may be familiar, some new but you can be assured that each was chosen as being superior in their area.

We’re putting the finishing touches on next week’s presentation and I know you’ll be happy when you see it.

  robin goldsworthy