Los Altos, CA – MoonFest, inspired by the Mid-Autumn Festival and Lantern Festival celebrated in many Asian countries, returns to the Los Altos History Museum on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This beloved children’s holiday is traditionally held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the East Asian lunar calendar (September 15 this year). But the Los Altos History Museum will celebrate during the next full moon (October 15) on their spacious patio.
MoonFest means celebrating community. From Korea to Vietnam, from Japan to Singapore, this occasion brings family and neighbors together to show gratitude and celebrate the end of the harvest season. Bring your family and neighbors to enjoy this annual community event, fun for all the family. Enjoy:
- Moon cakes from the famous Golden Palace Bakery in San Francisco
- Free lanterns for children under 10
- Make your own lantern – for children 5 and under
- Try your hand at traditional Asian children’s games
- Art activities
- “Tatoos” for children of all ages
- Traditional Chinese music performed by The California Chinese Youth Symphony, Jindong Cai, Music Conductor
- Tickets: $5 per person; under 5 free (advance tickets at www.losaltoshistory.org or 948.9427 x14)
This will be the third MoonFest celebrated at the Los Altos History Museum – the event attracts hundreds every year. Cam Chan, local resident and MoonFest Chair, describes MoonFest “as a combination of Thanksgiving and Halloween. Families and neighbors come together to exchange moon cakes and give thanks while children enjoy fun and games.” Before moving to Los Altos, Chan created a MoonFest event in East Palo Alto and Palo Alto while residing in those cities. She is looking for volunteers to help with this year’s celebration. Interested? Email hello@losaltoshistory.org or call 650.948.9427 x14.
Just what is in a moon cake? Moon cakes across Asia come in many variations both sweet and savory. The classic sweet variation has been made the same way for centuries: salty egg yolks stuffed in paste made from lotus seeds or beans. Visit www.losaltoshistory.org for a typical recipe provided by Cam’s mother-in-law, Anne Chan.
The Los Altos History Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing local history to enrich our community and to shape a more informed future. Both the Museum and J. Gilbert Smith House are located on one of the last active apricot orchards in the Santa Clara Valley. The 1905 shingled farmhouse was built with many Craftsman-style features was our first museum, opened in 1977. In the spring of 2001, the Los Altos History Museum opened in a modern, impressive three-level, 8,200-square-foot building, built entirely with private donations. Ownership was transferred to the City of Los Altos in 2002.
The Museum and J. Gilbert Smith House are open Thursday through Sunday, from noon-4pm. The gardens, outdoor agricultural exhibits and picnic area are accessible beyond Museum hours. For more information, go to www.losaltoshistory.org, email hello@losaltoshistory.org, or phone 650.948.9427 x14.
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Media Contact: Marketing@losaltoshistory.org
Los Altos History Museum: Laura Bajuk, ED, 650-948-9427 x10, lbajuk@losaltoshistory.org
