THE CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL
By H, K. WONG
rjiHE WINDOWS of Chinatown's sweet 1 shops and bakeries are filled at this time of the year with heaping displays of out-of-the-ordinary Chinese sweets and cakes. Happy Buddha candies, fishes, lions, piggy-in-a-basket, molded colored sugar, and a variety of Moon cakes are the enticing native delicacies now in great demand for the impending fete of the Moon. Many of the overseas Chinese will celebrate the Moon Festival with family observance and much feasting at home.
The Moon Festival has been celebrated in honor of the legendary Moon Goddess for thousands of years, and occurs each year on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. This year, the date is Thursday, Sept. 17th, when the moon is at its fullest and shines brighter than at any other time of the year.
Moon cakes during Moon Festival are like Christmas trees at Christmas. In the olden days, Moon cakes were made by women of the village who vied for the honor of being named the best moon cake maker in the village. The family with the best recipes usually
kept it a secret which was passed down from mother to daughter. Nowadays, in overseas Chinatowns, the art of moon cake making is no longer done in the home, but by Master-Bakers in local bakeries plus a few restaurants importing a small amount from Hong Kong.
S.F. Chinatown is the chief supplier of Moon Cakes to the Chinese in the U.S., Mexico and South America, and Vancouver looks after the cities in Canada. Each season, millions of Moon Cakes are made and shipped by air and freight to Moon Festival celebrants.
The season for manufacture of moon cakes usualy starts 6 to 7 weeks before the actual Moon Festival day and proceeds up to the evening of the fete. Bakeries work double shifts around the clock to keep up with the huge daily demand. The preparation and mixing of the many types of ingredients necessary for the variety o.f moon cakes is done in clean and sanitary kitchens.
Some establishments utilize the latest modern bakery equipment such as, automatic dough mixer, large capacity
This year, for the first time, the Grand Opening Parade through downtown Vancouver takes place on a Saturday (Aug. 22)— enabling families to enjoy together this thrilling, colorful spectacle.
會覺展家國洋平太
JOIN VANCOUVER'S
"Salute to the Orient^
AUG. 22 - SEPT. 7
More than ever to see and do when the 1 959 PNE pays its "Salute to the Orient"—and so much of it for FREE! See the striking exhibits of Asian countries being honored and the special UNESCO Oriental display . . . join in the entertainments and games of every kind ... visit Western Canada's biggest farm and flower shows . . . tour Vancouver's thrilling Playland .. enjoy all that's best in the East and the West at your own great 】959 Fair!
PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION
British Columbia
CHINATOWN NEWS, AUG. 3, 1959
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