Eighth Avenue fills with floats, hanfu and lion dances

The third Brooklyn Mid-Autumn Float Parade and Asian Cultural Festival, organized by the Better Brooklyn Association (BBA) and co-organized by the American New York Chinese Association, the Blue Community Relationship Association and the Bay Parkway Merchant Association, was held Sept. 19 on Eighth Avenue in Sunset Park. Several hours of cultural performances and a large parade featuring more than 20 community groups drew crowds to celebrate together.

The celebration kicked off near 59th Street and Eighth Avenue with lively dragon and lion dances. Colorful performances followed throughout the event, with different arts groups taking turns onstage. The program included martial arts, Latin dance, Chinese fan dance, singing and band performances, drawing round after round of applause.

Around noon, the Mid-Autumn float parade got underway. The first float carried several guests who handed out balloons and small lanterns to people along the route. More than 20 marching groups made up of hometown associations and community organizations followed, each with its own character. Drum groups also joined in, adding bright, festive rhythms to the procession.

The parade set out near 58th Street and Eighth Avenue before turning onto Seventh Avenue. Along the route were several large deity figures associated with traditional folk celebrations. Performers wore specially made oversized costumes in vivid colors. Some figures wore white embroidered robes with elaborate crowns; others appeared in golden garments decorated with dragon patterns and tall headdresses. Elements of traditional opera and folk belief brought the atmosphere of a traditional temple fair into the streets.

BBA said it was especially meaningful to welcome the community to the third Brooklyn Mid-Autumn Float Parade and Asian Cultural Festival as autumn arrived. The Mid-Autumn Festival is an important holiday in Chinese tradition, the organization said, and celebrating it in the United States not only gives Chinese communities abroad a way to continue and pass on festival customs, but also gives younger generations born and raised in the United States an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and their own cultural roots.

“The association hopes that through the annual Mid-Autumn celebration, we can bring the community together, help more young people learn about traditional culture through a joyful festival and pass that culture on,” a representative of the association said.

Many Chinese attendees brought children dressed in traditional hanfu. One parent who attended with a child said they were glad to have an opportunity for children to encounter and learn about Chinese traditions in a festive setting. “The children were especially happy to put on hanfu, and they really enjoyed the activities. I hope they can learn more about Mid-Autumn Festival traditions and customs from a young age and understand their own culture and roots.”

State Sen. Steve Chan, Assemblymember Lester Chang, Councilmembers Susan Zhuang and Phil Wong, 72nd Precinct commanding officer Deputy Inspector Mobeen Yasin, and other elected officials and community representatives attended the celebration and offered remarks and well wishes.