Annual Moon Festival in Chinatown Sets the Stage for an Unforgettable Evening

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Moon Festival, celebrated in China as a homage to the bright mid-autumn harvest moon and the end of the summer growing season, is a time for reflection and thanksgiving, but it's also a time to celebrate — and no one does it better than Los Angeles' own Chinatown. The 72nd Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival held Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 from 5 p.m. to midnight promises to be an evening full of magic and wonder for Angelinos of all ages.

This free community festival, presented by the Los Angeles Chinatown Business Improvement District and the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles, offers event-goers a chance to see some of the best Chinese cultural performers in the country, from Shaolin Warriors performing martial arts, to acrobatic contortionists to a troupe of roaming Lion Dancers. Held in Chinatown's Central and West Plaza, the festival organizers plan to utilize every nook and alley in this historical space and activate it with activities, dancing, demos, art, dining and shopping. In the center of Central Plaza, a large outdoor dance floor will dominate the square where KCRW's Anthony Valadez and several guest DJs will rock the crowd all evening long. Plenty of shopping is in store with Chinatown's unique merchants and LA Craft Experience, LA's premiere arts, design and crafts market, features over 50 independent vendors throughout Los Angeles. Children of all ages will have their hands full with activities ranging from traditional calligraphy to art projects. Complimentary moon cake samples will be handed out later in the evening following a Moon Cake making demonstration by Chinatown's world renowned Phoenix Bakery. A ping pong tournament will take place in West Plaza, moderated by an MC, will attract pros and novices alike looking to try their hand in one of China's most revered sports for a shot at great prizes.

This festival will also delight the foodie in everyone as some of Chinatown's best chefs demonstrate their culinary prowess with our large outdoor kitchen — cooking demo attendees get to sample the food after each dish is made. In addition, some of LA's most popular food trucks will roll into Chinatown and many Chinatown restaurants will be open and offering specials for dining guests.

As the evening wanes and gets darker, the beautiful harvest moon will be in full view and attendees will get a chance to learn why this time of year is so special. The Griffith Observatory, which is making telescopes available throughout the evening, will demonstrate how to get the best views of the moon.

The 72nd Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is free and open to all ages and will take place in Chinatown's historic Central and West Plaza (943-951 N. Broadway Street, Los Angeles, CA  90012). Plenty of street and event parking is available and a free bike valet is provided. In addition, the festival site is easily accessed via Metro Gold Line rail from the Chinatown Station.  

For detailed program information, contact the Chinatown Business Improvement District at (213) 680-0243 or visit the website at: www.chinatownla.com.

SOURCE LA Chinatown Business Improvement District