Celebrate the Autumn Moon

Schools are back in session, signaling that summer is winding down. The change in seasons is noted in a variety of ways. On the west side, fall means it’s time for the Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival – 2023 marks this event’s seventh year and its success is a testament to how important this is to the community.

Please join me and District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan as we host this year’s festivities on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Booths, entertainment, delicious food and more will line Clement Street between Seventh and 10th avenues. 

Because it is the Year of the Rabbit, there will be a bunny contest, too. Do you have one? Please bring your beloved pet and compete for prizes. Categories include Best in Show, Most Talented, Best Costume and the Bunny/Pet Owner who look the most alike. I can’t wait to see the winners.

I also invite you to stop by my office’s booth. My staff will be there to answer questions and provide information on how state government can serve you. We’ll have an update on my legislative accomplishments and information on resources, like mental health, food security and housing.

Our celebration is deeply rooted in Asia’s Mid-Autumn Festival. The Chinese have been celebrating the autumn harvest’s full moon since the Shang Dynasty in the second millennium B.C., and the tradition has spread throughout other countries in Southeast Asia. It’s seen as a time to reflect on the bounty of the summer harvest, the fullness of the moon and the myth of the immortal moon goddess Chang-O.

The Zhuang people of southern China, the largest minority in the country, share an ancient fable of how the sun and the moon are a couple and the stars are their children. The moon’s pregnancy makes it round, and it becomes a crescent after giving birth.

The Autumn Moon holiday is often considered a “Chinese Thanksgiving” because gratitude and the inclusion of food – including the popular moon cake – lie at the center of these celebrations.

For years here in San Francisco, the celebration was held in Chinatown. My staff worked with local groups and leaders to bring autumn moon festivals to our side of the City, including the Sunset – neighborhoods that many Chinese and other Asian communities who celebrate this holiday call home. Community Youth Center, Richmond Neighborhood Center and the Clement Street Merchants Association deserve much of the credit for leading the charge. Today, it’s gratifying to see how this event has grown into a thriving destination.

I additionally want to acknowledge our sponsors whose monetary donations help us with expenses associated with the festival, as well as our media sponsors who spread the word about this event. And, of course, the invaluable support from numerous allies and volunteers are worth recognizing.

I hope you will join us on Sept. 9 for a fun, family-friendly event that will showcase the cultural diversity of the west side. Note: the festival is accessible by Muni bus routes 1, 28, 38, 38R and 43.

See you there!

Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma and Daly City as well as part of South San Francisco.