Many people in China and throughout Asia celebrate the Harvest Moon, falling on the 15th day of the eighth month on their lunar calendar. This year, it falls on September 14, 2008. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon or Moon Cake Festival, is a joyful holiday celebrating the abundance of food and family, similar to our Thanksgiving. Families come together and feast on foods chosen for good luck, particularly red foods such as lobster, salmon, apples, peanuts, pomegranates and pomelos as well as chestnuts, cooked taro, fatt koh (sponge cakes) and moon cakes. A traditional delicacy, moon cakes are sweet little moon-shaped cakes filled with sesame seeds, ground lotus seeds and duck eggs. During the festival, children can stay up late to look at the moon and parade brightly colored lanterns. In Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore it’s sometimes referred to as the Lantern Festival, and similar Autumn Festivals are held in Korea, Vietnam and Japan.

There are many events celebrating the Mid-Autumn/Moon Festival that take place here in the United States. As the Chinese population grows, so does recognition of this beloved family holiday. According to this week’s World Journal, Census Bureau statistics show that Asian Americans made more money in 2007 than any other ethnic group in the U.S., with an average household income of $55,100. Chinese restaurants have long recognized this festival in the U.S. with special promotions and moon cakes on the menu. Marriott and Radisson Hotels offer special Mid-Autumn Festival promotions at most of their Asian locations. Nike has even created sneakers specially designed for the Hong Kong and Chinese markets to mark this year’s Festival. Each sneaker features traditional Chinese colors in metallic gold and red and includes laser-etched icons, such as the rabbit, that reflect Chinese folklore.

Jerry Ng, past president of the Organization of Chinese Americans/Eastern
Virginia Chapter and a member of the organizing committee says "The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is an excellent opportunity to draw together the Asian Community and residents in the Hampton Roads as a big extended family to share this unique cultural experience. It embraces the importance of family, friends and a sense of community. We have sponsors such as the city of Norfolk - Festevents, Wachovia Securities, AT&T, Peninsula Chinese American Association, and Golden China Restaurant.”
Below we’ve listed a sampling of the events taking place across the country.

1) San Francisco Chinatown Hosts 18th Annual Autumn Moon Festival – San Francisco, CA
Date: September 6-7, 2008
Website: info@moonfestival.org  
Description: The Chinatown Merchants Association presents this celebration featuring the music, cuisine and culture of China on historic Grant Avenue.


2) Mid-Autumn Moon Festival – Phoenix, AZ
Date: September 12, 2008
Website: http://www.phxchinatown.com/moon_festival.htm  
Description: The Chinese Cultural Center sponsors this event highlighting traditional dancers and entertainment.

3) Chicago Moon Festival - Chicago, IL
Date: September 13, 2008
Website: www.moonfestchicago.com  
Description: A celebration of Chinese culture in Chicago’s Chinatown square featuring the Dragon & Lion dance, traditional dances and instruments, a lantern show and dumpling-eating contest.

4) LA Chinatown’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival – Los Angeles, CA
Date: September 13, 2008
Website: info@lachinesechamber.org  
Description: Acrobats, cultural performances, children’s activities and traditional food will be featured at this celebration hosted by Chinatown Los Angeles. Phoenix Bakery, the oldest in Chinatown, will demonstrate how moon cakes are made.

5) Under the Autumn Moon Festival – Portland, OR
Date: September 13 & 14, 2008
Website: http://community.portlandneighborhood.com/events/event/show?id=2066255:Event:3193  
Description: This year’s Festival continues upon the overwhelming success of last year’s that honored the history and vibrant renewal of Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood with music, dance, fireworks and a spectacular parade.

6) Mid-Autumn Harvest Moon Festival – St. Paul, MN
Date: September 14, 2008
Website: www.landmarkcenter.org  
Description: Tet Trung Thuas, as it is known in Vietnam, is a wonderful ancient festival that revolves around children. Historically, the Festival came about as a way for parents to make up for lost time with their children after the vital harvest season. Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is an event that shows affection for our children, their education, and promotes activities such as poetry, dance and arts & crafts.

7) Autumn Moon Cultural Lantern Festival – New York, NY
Date: September 14, 2008
Website: www.chinatown-online.com  
Description: New York’s Chinatown celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with traditional dance, food and music, along with a lantern parade, moon cakes and more.


8) Orlando Moon Festival – Orlando, FL
Date: September 20, 2008
Website: http://orlandomoonfestival.com/  
Description: “One Moon, One World” – This event in downtown Orlando is full of entertainment, traditional foods and a robust sponsorship.

9) The Third Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival – Norfolk, VA
Date: September 27, 2008
Website: http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrID=42181  
Description: Norfolk Festevents, in conjunction with several local Chinese community organizations, will hold a Chinese celebration of family and friends rich in Asian culture and tradition. The event will feature authentic cultural performances, wine tasting, food, a children and parent costume parade, and many interactive fun activities for the whole family. There will also be special appearances by the “Moon Goddess” from noon to 3 p.m.

10) Chinese Moon Festival – San Jose, CA
Date: September 28, 2008
Website: http://www.chineseculturalgarden.org/moonfestival.htm  
Description: Held in the beautiful sanctuary of Overfelt Gardens and the Chinese Cultural Gardens, this event offers children of all ages a chance to learn about and experience Chinese culture while celebrating this joyful festival.