Excitement oozed from the faces of many young performers Saturday night as they celebrated the Chinese Moon Festival at the State College Area High School.

The night included dancers and martial artists both young and old, singers and musical acts.

The colorful outfits worn by the artists differed from group to group, but were all eye-catching reds, pinks, greens and yellows.

The event, organized by the Chinese Friendship Association (CFA), began with a reception that was then followed by a festival, while featuring performances by both children and adults. The celebration ended with a ball.

The Chinese Moon Festival is held annually in the autumn, which is mid-August in the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, said Xiaole Mao, CFA president.

"On that day families get together, and we eat moon cakes," he said.

Moon cakes are the traditional desserts of the holiday.

"The idea is to get family all together," Mao said. "It's just like Thanksgiving in western culture."

The holiday is very family-oriented, which is represented by the moon -- "The round shape in Chinese culture means reunion," Mao said.

Anthony Li (junior- supply chain management) said the holiday is celebrated to show reverence to the gods.

"They celebrate to honor the gods to have a good harvest," Li said.

State College resident Lucy Zhang, 11, a fourth-year performer for the Moon Festival, said the length of their dance routines was shortened so all of the groups could perform and then come together at the end for a colorful finale.

This holiday is one of two big celebrations during the year for the CFA. The other is the Chinese New Year, said member of the event management board Jiaming Mao.

"This will be our first big celebration this academic year," Jiaming Mao said. The Chinese New Year is held at the end of January or the beginning of February.

Volunteers at the event were not limited to members of the CFA.

Shuo Sun (sophomore-accounting) is part of Pi Delta Psi, an Asian culture fraternity.

"Moon festival is for all Asian communities," he said.