September 27, 2026 | Hinsdale, Illinois

Families, students, performers, volunteers, and community members gathered on the South Lawn of the Hinsdale Memorial Building on September 27 for the Mid-Autumn Festival, hosted by the Hinsdale Public Library and presented this year as part of Hinsdale’s America 250 celebration.

Hinsdale Multicultural Arts & Education Association (HMAE) organized the cultural performances and supported activity stations throughout the evening. The program included music, dance, martial arts, Chinese songs and poetry, Filipino traditional dance, student performances, crafts, games, and participation from community members of all ages.

Opening the Celebration

The performance program began with a distinctly American element. Students from Hinsdale Central High School’s Tri-M National Music Honor Society helped lead the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, followed by bagpipe music performed by Mr. Volini.

Village President Greg Hart and Hinsdale Public Library Board President John Bloomfield welcomed the community and offered remarks before the cultural performances began.

The opening reflected the special setting of this year’s celebration: a traditional Mid-Autumn gathering taking place within Hinsdale’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Music, Dance, Martial Arts and Chinese Language

Throughout the evening, performers of different ages took the stage.

The program included Tai Chi and martial arts from Li Qiang Tai Chi & Wu Shu School; dance performances by Nan Arts Dance and Mei Xu Dance Academy; and Chinese songs and classical poetry presented by students from Dr. Zhou’s Learning Center.

Filipino dancers also joined this year’s celebration. Dolly, who is in her 80s, and her fellow performers brought traditional Filipino dance to the lawn, adding another cultural tradition to the evening.

Hinsdale Central High School students were visible throughout the program. Red Dragon Music Band performed on stage, while other students served as emcees, videographers, and volunteers. Tri-M members who participated in the opening ceremony also represented another way local students contributed to the celebration.

Cultural Activities Beyond the Stage

This year, HMAE invited the Midwest Asian Health Association (MAHA) to join the celebration with two hands-on cultural craft stations, with the support of the Hinsdale Public Library.

At the MAHA tables, children and families made rabbit lanterns and decorated Peking Opera masks. Nearby, HMAE volunteers helped with the Library’s Tetris Tumble game.

The Library also offered mooncake samples, giving visitors another way to experience a familiar Mid-Autumn tradition.

Together, the performances and activity stations allowed families to move between watching, making, playing, and participating throughout the evening.

From Children to Seniors

One of the most visible features of the celebration was the range of generations involved.

Children sang in Chinese, recited classical poetry, danced, practiced martial arts, made lanterns, and played games. High school students performed, emceed, and volunteered. Adults supported performances and activities throughout the event.

Near the end of the program, 19 members of the HMAE Senior Group—who are also participants in the Hinsdale Public Library’s ESL group—performed “Auld Lang Syne.”

The evening concluded with closing remarks from HMAE President Ying “Lucy” Zhou and a community group photo with performers, volunteers, families, and guests.

For Zhou, one of the most meaningful parts of the evening was seeing children, teenagers, adults, and seniors participating in different ways—not simply watching the celebration, but helping create it together.

HMAE extends its appreciation to the Hinsdale Public Library, the Village of Hinsdale, MAHA, participating schools and community groups, performers, volunteers, families, and everyone who joined the celebration.

Most photos by Shaobin Sun

One Community, Many Cultures.