On September 27, The Lincoln Asian Community and Cultural Center hosted a Harvest Moon festival at Antelope Park. The Harvest Moon is a symbol to celebrate this year’s harvest and is always a happy time for those of Asian heritage. This year’s Harvest Moon was significant because it was the year’s closest supermoon that went under a total eclipse.

The Harvest Moon name is given to the first full moon phase that occurs after the autumnal equinox every year. The Harvest Moon has a powerful mystique that makes it look bigger or brighter or more orange than other moons during the year. Around the time of a full moon, many people look for it shortly after sunset. The moon then will appear near the horizon because it would have just risen. That location near the horizon is what makes the Harvest Moon- or any full moon- to look big and orange.

For those of East Asian ancestry, the Harvest Moon is like Thanksgiving. It’s a time meant for family and food. At this festival, there were many different activities including a variety of performances from different cultures, including lion dances from China, Japanese drummers, and even tai chi exercises the audience participated in at the end of the night. There were many different booths of Asian foods from different shops in town including Sticky Rice and the Banhwich Cafe. Traditional Chinese lanterns and kites were also for sale in other booths.

There were lanterns that were hung up in the trees around the perimeter and lit at sunset. Glow-sticks were given to anyone who wanted them once it got dark. There was also time for the crowd to dance toward the end of the night.“We wanted to share the culture with our community,” said Rebecca Reinhardt, ACCC program coordinator. “That’s the whole purpose.”

It’s great how different cultures can share a piece of their heritage with the community by having events like the Harvest Moon Festival.