Chinatown 808’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival and Parade presented by Hawaiʻi National Bank Foundation is returning to Honolulu’s Chinatown from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 4.
Also known as the Moon Festival, this cultural event celebrates the conclusion of harvest season. Attendees can look forward to free entertainment, keiki activities, food and craft vendors and more.
“The event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy food, music, dance, and other traditions under the beauty of the full moon,” states Leonard Kam, president of Chinatown 808.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is typically held on the 15th day of the eight month of the lunar calendar with a full moon in the evening. Families often celebrate by gathering to admire the moon, exchange wishes for good fortune, and sharing mooncakes.
This year’s festival features a variety of festivities, including a lantern parade, in which participants are encouraged to bring their own homemade lanterns and dress in Chinese cultural costumes.
“We’re excited to present an actual lantern parade through Chinatown,” says Kam. “This will showcase some of the lanterns that were made, as well as other ones that participants will bring. It will truly bring the celebration to Chinatown.”
The parade starts at 6:30 p.m.; participants will walk from the Hawaiʻi National Bank King Street branch toward Sun Yat-sen Mall. Interested parade participants are encouraged to sign up online; check in begins at 5:30 p.m.
Festival attendees can also look forward to a lantern-making contest, in which participants can design their own lanterns to be displayed during the parade. Winners will be judged based on use of recyclable materials, craftsmanship and presentation, and creativity and originality. See Chinatown 808’s website for more information.
“I’m looking forward to our lantern-making contest,” Kam says. “It’s going to be interesting to see all the different creative designs of lanterns.”
This year’s festival features more than 25 vendors offering a variety of specialty foods and products. The line-up includes Blue Truck Teppanyaki, Hawaiian Honey Cones, Legend Seafood Restaurant, Local Poke Bowl, Olay’s Thai Lao Express and Teapresso Bar, to name a few.
To learn more, visit chinatown808.com.
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
