FESTING THE HARVEST MOON...

Fall is a big 'Fest'ing time in not just the Midwest. While our city braces itself for a weeklong of Oktoberfest activities, many other fests including Cranberry Fest, Apple Fests and Renaissance Festivals are filling Fall weekend fun. In the East this past Saturday it was no different where accidentally we experienced Philadelphia's Chinatown's Mid Autumn Festival. 

I say accidentally as after finishing a couple museum visits, we were actually just heading to a Bangh Mi sandwich shop, and lo and behold we discovered Chinatown closed off to street traffic.

The previously quiet Chinatown (note the quiet entrance from the previous day)  was now packed with all ages of folks enjoying the street fair celebration. A stage was at one end with organizers introducing speakers, musical presentations throughout the celebration and as we passed were readying for a Tai Chi demo. 

Decorative lanterns are traditional for the Mid Autumn Festival.

This street carnival had activities for every age group: Art activities of Chinese calligraphy, decorating dragon crowns, making lotus flowers to symbolize the real flowers which would be floated down stream with candles inside 

and 
games like 
bean toss and a bouncy area, 

hanging up prayers /good wishes...

The Mid Autumn Festival is traditionally held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar when the moon is the roundest and brightest, a Harvest moon. Mooncakes with a bean paste inside are the traditional dish only served at this time. It is a time to be with family and community and it was a treat to briefly be part of this special community celebration. It brought back memories of celebrating this Autumn holiday when I lived in Taiwan many moons ago... 
So to all of you, here is my wish:

A bright moon and stars twinkle and shine. Wishing you a merry Mid-Autumn Festival filled with bliss and happiness.
皓月闪烁，星光闪耀，中秋佳节，美满快乐！

Hàoyuè shǎnshuò, xīngguāng shǎnyào, zhōngqiū jiājié, měimǎn kuàilè!

Chinatown's Fire Stations Mural