The gathering of the harvest has been celebrated for centuries around the world in the form of autumn festivals. Historically, harvest festivals are not a recent creation; for centuries, different cultures from the ancient Egyptians to Pagans in Europe, have celebrated the gathering of the harvest and given thanks for the food it provides. Depending on the country, the season and timing of the gathering of the harvest varies but traditionally harvest festival is associated with the months of autumn.
A harvest festival celebrates the gathering of the harvest each year; each country celebrates at different times of the year because of the growing of different crops and plants. However, in the Northern hemisphere, the celebration of a harvest festival traditionally coincides with the Harvest Moon. Most often, the September full moon is the Harvest Moon, which is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the Moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice are now ready for gathering.
Many countries around the world today still celebrate and give thanks for the safe gathering of the harvest of plants and crops. Often, harvest festival celebrations are an opportunity for families and friends to reconnect. Join us at the Heritage Village Fall Harvest Festival Saturday September 21st 10am-5pm and Sunday September 22nd 12pm-5pm. For more information, visit heritagevillagecincinnati.org
11 Sep
Heritage Village Museum 