Celebrating Culture, Strengthening Community.
MHCA Thanks Senator James Skoufis for $10,000 in State Funding
On October 8, 2026, members of the Mount Hope Chinese Association (MHCA) visited Senator James Skoufis’s office to express gratitude for his $10,000 in state funding and continued support for Asian communities and cultural celebrations.
This investment helps bring our signature festivals to life—from Chinese New Year to the Dragon Boat Festival and Chinese Renaissance Festival—celebrating the richness of Chinese heritage through music, dance, art, and food.
Our February 28, 2026, Chinese New Year Festival at Middletown High School welcomed hundreds of attendees, uniting families, local businesses, artists, and neighbors from across the Hudson Valley.
Together, we keep culture alive, support local businesses, and build a stronger, more connected community.
MHCA extends its sincere appreciation to Senator Skoufis for helping make these celebrations possible.
Upcoming Events
Past Events
On September 12, 2026, Veterans Memorial Park in Otisville, New York, will sparkle with color, music, and smiles as the beloved Chinese Renaissance Festival returns! Hosted by the Mount Hope Chinese Association, this fun family gathering invites everyone to enjoy graceful dances, lively music, stunning hanfu fashion shows, beautiful calligraphy, art, and delicious authentic cuisine.
Come connect, laugh, and discover the warmth of traditional Chinese culture. It’s a heart-lifting day of harmony, kindness, and togetherness—you’ll leave feeling inspired and right at home!
Site map: Click image on right to enlarge
Learn more about hanfu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQs7kgM_Bhk
Festival Highlights
Chinese Renaissance Fest
On September 12, the 3rd Chinese Cultural Renaissance Festival was held at Otisville Veterans Memorial Park in Upstate New York, celebrating traditional Chinese culture through arts, cuisine, costumes, Tang-style architecture, performances, calligraphy, tea, and family activities.
“We organized this event to showcase various facets of traditional Chinese culture,” said Mela Wu, event organizer and president of the Mount Hope Chinese Association.
Wu said the festival serves the local community by bringing people of diverse backgrounds together to experience Chinese traditions and create meaningful memories, especially for children.
“Traditional Chinese culture needs to be passed down and promoted,” Wu said, emphasizing values including kindness, compassion, goodwill, loyalty, and filial piety.
She believes preserving these traditions can offer hope for humanity while making a positive contribution to American society.
Past Events
The Story Behind the Dragon Boat Festival
Ancient traditions. Shared stories. One community.
More than 2,000 years ago in ancient China, there lived a poet and statesman named Qu Yuan. He was known for his honesty, integrity, and deep love for his country. When political corruption led to the fall of his kingdom, he was overcome with grief and cast himself into the Miluo River.
The local people, who admired and respected him, rushed out in their boats to try to save him. They beat drums to frighten away evil spirits and threw bundles of sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the water so that fish would not harm his body.
Those rescue boats became the inspiration for today’s Dragon Boat races, and those rice bundles became zongzi - the beloved bamboo leaf-wrapped sticky rice dumplings that families continue to make and share every year.
But the Dragon Boat Festival is about more than history. It is a celebration of loyalty, community, and the bonds that bring people together. It reminds us that traditions are kept alive not only through stories, but through sharing food, laughter, and time with one another.
Here in Orange County, New York, those values feel right at home. Whether your family’s roots are in Asia or somewhere else in the world, the Dragon Boat Festival is an opportunity to celebrate heritage, friendship, and the joy of gathering as one community.
When you enjoy a zongzi, you’re not simply tasting a traditional food - you’re sharing in a story that has connected generations for over two millennia.
Festival Highlights
Day of the Dragon Boat Festival
On June 27th, the Mount Hope Chinese Association (MHCA) celebrated its fourth annual Dragon Boat Festival at the Veterans Memorial Park in Otisville, New York.
Local dignitaries praised the event for its success in uniting the community and spreading the spirit of loyalty and health.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is one of the three major traditional festivals in Chinese communities. Celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, it is considered a festival celebrating patriotism and loyalty, while also symbolizing respect for life and health.
Chinese New Year Festival
On February 28, 2026, families from across the Hudson Valley gathered at Middletown High School to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse in a vibrant and joyful Chinese New Year Festival. The event brought together people of all ages and backgrounds for a day filled with culture, tradition, and community spirit.
More than just a celebration, the festival served as a meaningful bridge between cultures—strengthening community connections, honoring tradition, and sharing the beauty of Chinese culture with the broader Middletown community. The 2026 Year of the Fire Horse Festival was not only a day of celebration, but a powerful reminder of the unity and joy that cultural exchange can bring.
Festival Highlights
A Day of Culture, Community, and Connection
The 2026 celebration welcomed hundreds of attendees from across the Hudson Valley, featuring local vendors, cultural performers, volunteers, and community partners. The festival successfully created a dynamic platform for cultural exchange, youth engagement, and small business participation. By combining tradition with community outreach, the event strengthened connections while expanding awareness of Chinese cultural heritage in the region.
