Family festival set Saturday at Old Jail

By Melinda L. Lucas

Entire families are invited to celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival this Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Old Jail Art Center.

Starting at 1:00 p.m., participants of all ages but particularly children, can enjoy traditional food, art, and games observing the “Moon Festival,” a harvest celebration of family and gratitude similar to the western Thanksgiving holiday.

Many of the activities will be held in the Stasney Center, but others are planned outdoors, according to Kirsten Hahn, OJAC Education Programs Coordinator.

“Festival-goers will enjoy crafting Jade Rabbit Lanterns and Taogu Moon-Drums, then play and learn together through our Virtual Scavenger Hunt, Chopsticks Race, and Bingo Booth,” said Hahn.

She added that families can add their wishes to the Communiity Lantern, and Full-Moon piñatas will be broken every hour.

“As always, our youngest visitors will enjoy our Toddler Tent, with themed books, puzzles, and playdough stations,” Hahn said.

Featured will be traditionally-inspired treats such as dumplings and mooncakes, as well as green tea punch and cookies.

The three-hour festival, which is free, will end at 4:00 p.m.