Posts Tagged ‘History’

Milwaukee Armenian Fest a Success

Posted in Articles, News, tagged , , , on July 20, 2026|

By David Luhrssen

Despite an early forecast calling for gloomy weather and lingering smoke from the Canadian wildfires, the skies cleared just in time for another memorable Milwaukee Armenian Fest. By God’s grace, the weather cooperated, allowing more than 1,000 visitors to gather on Sunday, July 19, at St. John the Baptist Armenian Church for one of Wisconsin’s longest-running ethnic festivals. Throughout the day, families, friends, parishioners, and first-time guests came together to celebrate Armenian faith, culture, and hospitality. For many, the festival was also a welcome opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new acquaintances, and enjoy the warm sense of community that has become the hallmark of Milwaukee Armenian Fest.

As always, the festival’s delicious Armenian cuisine was one of the day’s greatest attractions. Lines formed throughout the afternoon as guests enjoyed freshly prepared chicken and beef shish kabobs, flavorful sarma, homemade beoreg, and a variety of traditional Armenian desserts, including paklava, nazooks, and other sweet favorites. Many visitors also stopped by the Culture Booth, where they sampled Armenian beer, brandy, and wine while browsing a selection of Armenian-themed shirts, hats, books, gifts, and souvenirs. Cultural exhibits gave guests a glimpse into Armenia’s rich history and traditions, while children enjoyed games and family-friendly activities. Throughout the day, visitors were welcomed inside the church for guided tours, where many learned about the history of the Armenian Apostolic Church, its ancient Christian heritage, and the beautiful sanctuary that has served the Milwaukee Armenian community for generations.

The festival grounds remained lively well into the afternoon as music and dance brought people together. Returning favorite Mideast Beat from Racine delighted the crowd with traditional Armenian and Middle Eastern melodies that quickly filled the dance floor with enthusiastic participants of every age. The energy continued to build as Russian-Armenian vocalist Joka captivated the audience with his vibrant performance, blending contemporary Armenian music with crowd-pleasing favorites. One of the day’s highlights was the performance by Chicago’s Siragan Armenian Dance Company. Dressed in colorful traditional costumes, the talented dancers presented a breathtaking display of Armenian folk dances, earning warm applause and admiration from the audience.

Behind every successful festival stands an extraordinary team of volunteers, and this year’s event was no exception. For months leading up to Armenian Fest, parishioners generously donated countless hours preparing food, baking pastries, organizing booths, decorating the grounds, and coordinating every detail of the event. On festival day, volunteers worked tirelessly from early morning until evening, welcoming guests with smiles and genuine Armenian hospitality. Their dedication, together with the generous support of sponsors and friends of the parish, made it possible for the festival to continue its mission of serving both the church and the wider community.

More than simply a food festival, Milwaukee Armenian Fest continues to be a celebration of faith, heritage, and fellowship. Each year it offers an opportunity to share the richness of Armenian Christianity and culture with neighbors throughout southeastern Wisconsin while strengthening the bonds within the Armenian community itself. Judging by the joyful atmosphere, the large attendance, and the many returning visitors, the 2026 Milwaukee Armenian Fest once again fulfilled that mission and left everyone looking forward to next year’s celebration.

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FROM GENEROSITY TO LEGACY: THE KAISHIANS’ HYE CAMP STORY

Posted in News, tagged , , , , on April 24, 2026|

John and Lynn Kaishian stand as foundational figures in the history of Hye Camp and the broader Armenian church community in the Midwest. Their legacy is deeply intertwined with the perseverance, growth, and success of a vision that began decades before it could fully take root.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, several earnest attempts were made by individuals and the Midwest Regional Council of Armenian Churches to establish an Armenian camp in the Midwest. Despite strong intentions, these early efforts ultimately faltered due to a lack of funding and consistent leadership. The dream of a regional camp remained alive but unrealized.

In 1963, John and Lynn Kaishian stepped forward with a generous offer: they made their personal property in Pleasant Lake, WI, available as a potential site for what would become Hye Camp. Although the organizing committee explored other locations over the following two years, those efforts again fell short for the same reasons—limited resources and leadership challenges.

Recognizing the importance of the mission, the Kaishians renewed their offer. This time, their contribution became the cornerstone of success. For the next 30 years, the diocesan Hye Camp was held on their property. As the guiding forces of their extended family, John and Lynn created an environment of collective service. Their entire family played an active role in supporting the camp—preparing and serving meals, organizing sports and activities, and meeting the countless needs that arise in running a successful camp.

What made their contribution even more extraordinary was the spirit in which it was given. For three decades, the Kaishians provided not only the land but also the food—entirely free of charge. This remarkable generosity allowed the camp to maintain minimal tuition costs, ensuring that children from families of modest means could participate and benefit from the experience.

The impact of Hye Camp has been profound. Over the years, it has nurtured future clergymen of the Armenian Church, cultivated leaders within both the church and the camp itself, and fostered lifelong connections among campers. Many Armenian campers formed lasting bonds that led to marriage—an especially meaningful outcome within the Armenian community—and today, their children continue the tradition, attending and even leading the camp.

It is widely acknowledged that without the Kaishians’ “princely” donation—a term of deep respect within Armenian culture—Hye Camp would not exist today. In 2013, the camp celebrated its 50th anniversary, standing as the oldest continuously operating Armenian camp in the Americas, a testament to the enduring impact of their generosity.

The Kaishians’ contributions extended well beyond the camp. In 1968, they made another significant donation toward the construction of the first phase of their church in Greenfield. This initial structure, a cultural hall, served as the site of the Divine Liturgy until the sanctuary was completed in 1986. In recognition of their generosity, the hall was named in their honor. During the sanctuary’s construction, they again contributed substantially, and were subsequently recognized among the church’s Godfathers.

Both John and Lynn were also deeply involved in leadership within the community. John was an active member of the Knights of Vartan and served as a former commander of the Cilicia Lodge. Lynn was a dedicated member of the Hripsime Otyag, where she held numerous leadership roles, including Otyag Dirouhi, secretary, and other positions of service. Together, they served on the parish council and were members of the church’s building committee. Lynn further contributed through the Women’s Guild, where she served as chairperson, secretary, and treasurer.

Through their unwavering commitment, generosity, and leadership, John and Lynn Kaishian helped shape not only Hye Camp but also the spiritual and cultural life of their community. Their legacy continues to live on in the generations they inspired and the institutions they helped build.

In recognition of their extraordinary lifetime of service, generosity, and leadership within the Armenian Church community of Milwaukee, John and Lynn Kaishian will be honored by the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church as “Armenian Church Members of the Year.” This well-deserved tribute will take place during a gala banquet on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the historic Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee—an occasion that not only celebrates their enduring legacy, but also affirms the profound and lasting impact they have had on generations of faithful and on the vitality of Armenian Church life in the Midwest.

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