The Thanksgiving holiday got a head start last night in downtown's Central Parklet, minus the turkey and mashed potatoes.

A crowd of several hundred people gathered to celebrate State College's first Moon Festival, a Chinese holiday of family gathering. The event was organized by Penn State's Chinese Friendship Association (CFA), the Downtown Improvement District and the International Hospitality Council (IHC).

"It's like the American Thanksgiving," said Xi Yang (graduate-genetics), who volunteered at the Moon Festival.

The festival's name derives from ancient Chinese agricultural tradition that was based on the phases of the moon.

Yang said she got involved to help bring more of the Chinese culture to Americans.

"[Americans] have some misunderstandings about the Chinese," she said. "Most of them know about the old China more than the new China."

Cultural expression was as much a part of yesterday's event as mooncakes, the Moon Festival's traditional food. State College hosted Chinese opera, calligraphy, martial arts and a dragon parade at the festival.

"We wanted to share the [Chinese] culture with the American community as well," said IHC director Merrill David.

The IHC tries to create opportunities for understanding between different international communities. David said she was impressed with the turnout, especially because the festival fell on the same night as the first presidential debate.

"I'm glad to see the Chinese community and the local American community," David said.

Chinese students make up the largest international demographic in State College, said Huan Li, vice president of the CFA.

The traditional Chinese Moon Festival is an opportunity for families to gather together, and the festival carries special meaning for Chinese students studying abroad, Li said.

The CFA will also host a Moon Festival exclusively for Chinese students tomorrow. Last night's festival was an opportunity to share Chinese culture with the State College community, Li said.

"It's very important, especially for our Chinese students who are so far away from their home town," she said.

One such student, Ying Zhang (graduate-genetics), said celebrating the Moon Festival with friends is important while she is away from her family.

"In China, the festival is more celebrated by the family," she said. "We like to share this festival with our friends."

The State College community should understand the significance of the Chinese holiday because of its similarity to Thanksgiving, Li said.

"We know the importance of Thanksgiving for Americans," she said. "Our mooncakes is like your pumpkin pie."