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Background
In ancient times the Moon Festival was an annual harvest festival
This tradition started during the Xia or Shang Dynasty (2000BC - 1066 BC)
The Chinese considered this to be the 'Chinese Thanksgiving'
The 'Moon Festival' is also named the 'Mid Autumn Festival'
It is the second largest holiday after the Chinese New Year
It is celebrated on August 15th of the Chinese Lunar Calendar
The Moon is the largest at that time of year
Roundness to the Chinese signifies family reunion
Chinese families have reunion dinners and celebrate the Moon together.
Worldwide
The Chinese Holiday is celebrated worldwide
Organizers of the Moon Festival are extending the reunion concept to encompass unity in the entire community
They also use this opportunity to promote Chinese culture and tradition
It is a family day to experience the ancient Chinese traditions.
In China, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Toronto, San Francisco, Singapore, Taiwan, Vancouver, San Diego and many more cities, there is a community event.
Chinatown will close off the streets for a pedestrian-only street fair with live entertainment all day. This will include Chinese-themed acrobats, calligraphy, Chinese Opera, dancers, dragon dance,
face painting, lion dance, lantern displays, martial artists, musicians, Chinese arts & crafts vendors, and a host of Chinese foods & drinks.
Custom and Practice Celebrating the Moon
On the table there should be:
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Apples (fertility)
Chicken
Grapes (fertility)
Ling ke (water calthrops shaped like a bat is an emblem of luck)
Melon (seeds in the fruit represents many children)
Moon cakes (the egg yolk symbolizes the moon)
Peaches (Long life)
Pomegranates (seeds in the fruit represents many children)
Pomelo (a Chinese grapefruit, means to have in abundance)
Rice
Roast Pig
Tea Wine
Container with sand to hold candles and incense sticks
Other food deemed appropriate
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