Mid Autumn Festival celebrates passing of the harvest moon

Posted Sept. 20, 2022

By Kim Phan

Opinions Editor

With the passing of the harvest moon, many Asian communities around the world celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival, a festival with exceptional revelry, celebration and family gatherings. 

It's one that's lively and valued enough that entire streets are closed down just to hold it in their native countries. So, it is only natural that Asian communities around the world would enthusiastically welcome this festival. Here in Portland, this year, the festival held its venue at a new food cart location located on SE 82nd Ave at Core PDX eateries on one exclusive date: from 5-10 p.m. on Sept. 10.

The Mid Autumn Festival is held in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea to commemorate the end of the autumn harvest. The celebration is similar to Thanksgiving in the Western world in that it emphasizes the importance of family and giving thanks to the harvest moon for providing light that year. Offerings are also placed in honor of the Moon Goddess, Chang’e, whose legend is the reason for the festival. In accordance with the Chinese lunisolar calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival usually takes place around the fifteenth day of the eighth month. Every year, the exact date changes, and legend holds that the Moon is the brightest and roundest on that day. 

Despite the small size of the venue, many individuals from various backgrounds and experiences gathered and formed long lines that stretched all the way to the main street. Many newcomers to the festival were enthralled by the food and merchandise available. Groups were lined up in long, winding lines to purchase a variety of foods, including vegan dim sum, pennywort juice, banh mi sandwiches, freshly pressed sugarcane juice, mochi donuts, and Lao street food. Handmade arts and crafts were also offered. It was evident that there were a wide range of vendors available, which enticed many to explore the festival.

  The festival began with an opening ceremony in which lion dancers performed. Two members of the White Lotus Lion Dance association explained the significance of lion dancing during Asian holidays such as the Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festivals, and special occasions.

“Lion dancing is a way to get out evil spirits around certain places,” White Lotus Lion dance member Brian Nguyen said. “It just brings good energy in a place.” 

These elaborate dances are frequently accompanied by the synchronization of beating drums, cymbals, and gong instruments to the lion dance movements and actions. They can also do acrobatics while performing stunts, such as lifts or balancing on giant balls or other types of platforms. These performances are intended to bring prosperity, fortune, and good luck, with the goal of also entertaining audiences and providing vivid impressions of a lion. Lion dancing could be performed to ward off evil spirits, which dates back to a long-hailed story passed down through generations.

“The Reason why the Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated today is because it lines up with the Lunar calendar,” White Lotus Lion dance member Dylan Nguyen said. “It’s lined up specifically so we’re on the first full moon and that holds significance because of the harvest schedule as well. This is like the time to do it.”

One guest remarked on how moving it was that The White Lotus Foundation's festival continued its commitment to connect communities through Asian traditions and emphasize AAPI heritage by highlighting various types of creations offered by small local AAPI businesses.

  “The food here is really good,” Festival guest Jezreel Gaad said. “The lines were really long and that’s how you can tell that people really care about this event. Honestly, this event is so heartwarming to see all the communities come together and celebrate. Especially in the rise of Asian hate crimes last year and the terribleness that was 2020; it’s so nice to see an event that celebrates Asian Americans and their culture.” 

With the conclusion of the festival, hope and more inclusivity to include AAPI in the Greater Portland community will be on the horizon. Future events like the Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, and more could be celebrated in the Portland community. And in the years that will follow, many can only hope that more exposure for these celebrations that celebrate AAPI and their heritage can be in the spotlight so others can learn more about the various communities around them. The turnout for this event was incredible so guests can only hope by the next year that celebrations will be even grander.