Over the past weekend, the New Century Company in Orange County, Deer Park Town, New York State, held its annual Hudson Valley region’s largest food carnival event – the 11th “New Century Mid-Autumn Food Carnival” to celebrate the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival. The event received praises from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and several state senators and assembly members.
Governor Hochul, in a commendation letter, mentioned that New York State has 2 million Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) who share ancient traditional cultures and history, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the ancient holidays among them.
“Given that this ancient traditional festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, symbolizing reunion, prosperity, peace, eternal kinship, and friendship,” said Governor Hochul. “The Mid-Autumn Festival embodies three basic concepts – reunion, gratitude, and prayers, these interconnected concepts are an indispensable part of its meaning, allowing families and friends to express gratitude and respect to the bountiful earth while receiving gifts of nature.”
“New York State welcomes initiatives that enhance understanding and appreciation of our community, enriching our multicultural activities – and multiculturalism is our greatest strength – we take this opportunity to emphasize the important significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival as a precious part of Asian Pacific Islander culture and tradition,” the Governor added.
The Governor further wrote, “Therefore, I, Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State, hereby present this special commendation award to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and to joyfully celebrate this ancient tradition with our Asian American Pacific Islander community.”
State Senator James Skoufis, State Assembly members Karl Brabenec and Paula Elaine Kay also issued congratulatory statements and commendations to the organizers of the Mid-Autumn Carnival – the New Century Company. On September 19, the legislators themselves or their representatives attended a VIP reception organized by the organizers at the carnival venue, where attendees included local government executives, sheriffs, prosecutors, and numerous local entrepreneurs.
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