As San Francisco grows increasingly diverse, we are continuously exposed to new ideas and cultural influences from around the world. San Franciscans enjoy the music, food, and traditions of many cultures. One of the most important annual celebrations for Asian communities around the world and here in San Francisco is the Autumn Moon Festival.

On September 22nd this year, millions of people around the world will pay tribute to this cultural tradition. Here in San Francisco, our vast Asian community will celebrate too. In 2005, the Sunset District Autumn Moon Festival Committee began a new tradition in the Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco by hosting a wildly popular Autumn Moon Festival with captivating entertainment, delicious food, and a variety of products offered by numerous vendors and government agencies. We continued the tradition annually with added attractions like a Kids Corner of free pony rides, jumping house, and animal petting zone, as well as live broadcasts from local radio stations and giveaways from many well-visited vendors. Due to popular demand, we expanded the Festival an extra block in 2007. Each year, we have received requests to further expand the Festival by more days and more blocks.

This exciting street festival brings together individuals, families, businesses, community leaders and organizations from the Sunset neighborhood and all of San Francisco and its neighboring cities to share in the excitement of honoring an ancient custom. As we celebrate and explore San Francisco's diversity, we also learn more about the rich cultural tradition surrounding the Autumn Moon Festival.

This year, the Festival will be held Saturday, September 11th from 10am to 5pm on Irving Street, from 22nd to 25th Avenues. The event will include lion dances, arts and crafts, traditional performances, delicious food and product vendors, and exhibitors from community organizations and government agencies. Many of our Festival attendees enjoy the unique on-stage artistic demonstrations and superior cultural performances so much that at the stage area, there is barely an empty seat at any given time, and always with a standing-room-only crowd. The program has been dubbed by Festival-goers as "the best in the city, bar none" among cultural festivals.

We are lucky to live in a socially and culturally diverse community that is very open to celebrating cultural traditions from around the world. We hope you find this community celebration an educational and enjoyable experience.