Changle - the mythical Moon Goddess of Immortality - is honored today at the 6th Annual Autumn Moon Festival today in downtown San Francisco.
The benevolent one is fondly remembered for saving China from an evil Emperor many centuries ago and the celebration is an important one in the American Asian Community.
Many of the rituals that are carried out today are mostly based on lore which follow tradition, but for the locals it is also a time to bring the community together as well as introduce others to the customs involved.
About 10,000 visitors are expected to flock into the Moon Festival grounds (on Saturday September 11th) to take part in the joyous celebration on Sunset Street.
The Moon cake is a traditional food that is eaten on the occasion - not only because it is a tasty offering - but because it played an important part in Chinese History.
During the Yuan Dynasty, the Chinese were successful in driving out their enemies - the Mongols - by concealing well-conceived plans for an overthrow inside the moon cakes which were delivered to the masses at the annual Autumn Festival
Today, there will be activities for the kids, tasty snacks, music, art displays, cultural demonstrations and many live performances related to the Chinese traditions.
"All of us need to continue to recognize each other's heritage and culture," beamed Senator Leland Yee during a recent press junket promoting the Moon Festival.
Although there is something for everyone - old and young alike - the buzz is that an appearance by a Martial Arts group consisting of Monks from the Shao Lin Temple is expecting to be the highlight.
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