By Steve Stirling
FLUSHING — The eighth annual Moon Festival will take place this weekend, bringing a colorful display of dancing and fireworks to Flushing's Main Street.
Sometimes called the Lantern Festival, the events are a celebration of abundance and togetherness and have been a yearly tradition among Asian communities around the world for centuries.
“The Moon Festival is a special occasion that stands only next to the Lunar New Year in the importance for Asian nations,” said festival organizer Fred Fu. “It is an occasion about family reunion, the same meaning carried by the 'August Moon' in the Western culture.”
The festival will begin with a parade starting at 40th Road on Main Street at 5 p.m. and ending at the Queens Botanical Garden about an hour later.
Once the parade spills into the garden, multicultural performances by local artists and hot air balloon rides will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will be capped by a fireworks show at 8 p.m.
All events are free.
