Around Town: South Coast Plaza celebrates Autumn Harvest Festival Sept. 11 through 21
![Shoppers walk under a ceiling of red lanterns that mark the Autumn Harvest Festival going on at South Coast Plaza.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d2e5a9a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1325+0+0/resize/1200x795!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F35%2Ffb%2F0c75fa7f4612ade8d00a86b94f40%2Ftn-photos-staff-s1-daily-pilot-838451-tn-dpt-me-soco-autumn-harvest-festival-1.jpg)
Beginning Saturday and running through Sept. 21, Costa Mesa’s South Coast Plaza celebrates an Autumn Harvest Festival at its Garden Terrace with celebratory décor and events that are free and open to the public.
In addition to the hanging of colorful lanterns on the iconic Bridge of Gardens, the 11-day festival includes a gourmet mooncake pop-up and a photo exhibit of Chinese vistas presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, courtesy of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles.
Observed in many Asian cultures, the lunar holiday is known as the Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival in China and Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam, while Koreans celebrate it as Cheosuk. It is observed on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Sept. 21 this year, when the moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest of the year.
The holiday is a time for gathering, as the full moon signifies family reunion, and is also celebrated by giving thanks and prayers for good fortune. South Coast Plaza is located at 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. It is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Power of One Foundation, Costa Mesa Chamber host 9/11 remembrance at O.C. fairgrounds
An event remembering Sept. 11, 2001, will take place at the Hangar at the O.C. fairgrounds Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and will include live musical performances, remembrance installations and activities for children.
Hosted by actor Jack Scalia, from the hit TV soap opera “All My Children,” the event will feature celebrity guest speakers, from military service members and first responders to patriotic celebrities and members of Congress.
The commemoration is presented by the nonprofit Power of One Foundation, which has partnered with the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce. It also marks the launching of a “Re-United States of America Tour,” a live concert series whose goal is to convene top-level talent in each state in the nation in the year ahead.
The event is free for all first responders, members of the military, healthcare workers and their family members. General admission tickets cost $20 per person. Tickets are available by visiting powerofonefoundation.org.
Parade in Newport Beach Sunday will honor O.C.’s Olympians
Orange County’s Olympians, fresh off their triumphs in Tokyo this summer, will be honored Sunday during a parade co-hosted by county Supervisor Katrina Foley and the city of Newport Beach.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. at the Balboa Pier and ends at Veterans Memorial Park Newport Beach. A reception will follow at 10 a.m. at the American Legion building, 215 15th St.
“The public is invited to join for the family friendly outdoor celebration,” Foley’s staff said in a news release. “We encourage all participants to wear a mask during the event to keep our community safe and healthy.”
“It is my honor to congratulate our hometown Olympic athletes for their outstanding achievement,” Foley said in a statement. “They made Orange County and our entire country extremely proud. I am looking forward to celebrating them on Sunday alongside local elected officials, military veterans, police and fire departments, and community members.”
Joining Foley for the event are state Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie Norris, state Sen. Tom Umberg, Rep. Michelle Steel, Newport Beach council members Diane Dixon and Joy Brenner, Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, Seal Beach Mayor Joe Kalmick, Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen, Los Alamitos Mayor Mark Chirco, Orange County Water District Board Director and Mayor of Westminster Tri Ta, and others.
Daily Pilot Staff
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