This Saturday is special. Not just because most of us won't have to show up to work but because the autumnal equinox occurs at 7:49 am marking our passage from summer into Fall and the first day of the Halloween season. The days have been getting shorter, the nights longer, and best of all the pumpkin patches have started opening.
Next weekend the Harvest Moon will rise majestically above the Bay Area. Though officially the Harvest Moon occurs at 8:19 pm on Saturday night you can watch the nearly full moon rising around sunset several days before and after.
The Harvest Moon got its name, appropriately enough, from farmers. Fall is the time when the crops that will sustain us through winter are harvested. This means long hours of work on the farm. Unfortunately, fall also means the hours of daylight are getting fewer as the Earth tilts away from the sun. The first full moon after the autumnal equinox rises near sunset and gives farmers enough light to work a few extra hours harvesting their crop. Hence, it became known as the Harvest Moon.
With the bounty of the harvest collected and preserved, the Fall is a time of celebration and the Bay Area loves to celebrate this colorful season. For a full list of all the celebrations and wonderful fall activities take a look at our events calendar and remember to take some time out of your busy schedule and enjoy the changing season.