(update: August 16th)

Greetings to those that are coming up to the Skagit Valley August 21st - 22nd)

Due to the Covid-19 Delta variant, along with a burn ban the initial weekend that I imagined will be put on pause, and will be scaled down. For Saturday the program will run from 6-8pm, and Sunday will be 5-7pm. Folks are welcomed to come early and stay later to hang.

Make sure to be dressed to cover your legs and arms if you want to pick blackberries. Please bring containers for pears and plums there are tons. The pears are formed and not ripe - but ready to be picked because they ripen off the tree.

Highly encouraged: Bring photos of folks you’re honoring. It would be fun if folks brought a food item that relates to your loved one, and a fond memory to share for those that like an interactive ice breaker.

How to get here:
Dai-Zen Farm is located on State Route 20, Burlington, WA.
From 1-5 you get off on exit 230 and west towards Anacortes.
The farm is located between Pulver Road and Avon-Allen Road.
The driveway is only accessible for traffic going EASTBOUND. If you are coming from I-5 - you will drive to the stop light on Avon-Allen Road and make a u-turn.

Look for the metal lamppost and mailbox on the righthand side. Be careful of traffic behind you, make sure to signal to let traffic behind you know that you are turning.

Big thanks to Dr. Irene Parkhill for contributing to the event.

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(July 10th)

You’re invited!

What: the Hungry Ghost Festival Tea Party.
When: Sat Aug 21st (Art Focused) / Sun Aug 22nd (Family Focused)
Time: 6-8pm or come early and take part in activities starting at 1pm
Where: Dai-Zen Farms, 17632 State Route 20, Burlington, WA 98233
Why: I would like to share my family’s Taiwanese culture and traditional practices of celebrating loved ones that have passed, honoring our ancestors, and sharing compassion with wandering souls through hosting a weekend of food, art, culture and creating new rituals and traditions.

Read up on the Hungry Ghost Festival and get a better understanding around the folklore and festivities.

Please RSVP by August 15th.

More info: The Hungry Ghost Festival is observed on the 7th month of the lunar calendar, which is known as the “ghost month”. It is a Chinese tradition of honoring family members and ancestors that have passed, along with wandering spirits who have not yet reincarnated into their next life. We do this by preparing altars, food and offerings. These offerings include putting out food, burning incense, and burning ghost paper money. Buddhists and Taoists believe this practice of gratitude and acknowledging our past is what keeps us connected with our ancestors that have paved the foundation for us to be here today.

“The Hungry Ghost Festival Tea Party,” is also my way of reintroducing myself to my family and friends my new direction in life, as an artist and someone proud to be part of the Asian Diaspora. “The Hungry Ghost Festival Tea Party,” is what I see as my collaborative art performance with my family and friends; centering on creating inclusive Modern Asian Diaspora Experiences (MADE) and is based in the philosophy of casting all who come. “The Hungry Ghost Festival Tea Party,” is my way of providing community as we process our COVID-19 losses, and an inclusive opportunity to evolve and create culture together.

Art Performance
Nantronic is a handle that I created for myself in the 2000s. Nancy + Electronic. The Hungry Ghost Festival on Dai Zen Farms is located in the beautiful Skagit Valley, where I grew up. As part of the performance, guests will be served at a pop-up dedicated to my grandma Mei Yeah who lived on the property for the past 40 years before her passing early this year. Mei Yueh’s Tea House is the result of watching my grandma host people at the farm throughout my childhood. I will be teaching workshops on folding dumplings and making bubble tea passed from watching my family and family friends host dinners. The day will also include opportunities to learn and create new traditions for a new generation emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic and learn how Chinese traditions help to give a process for making sense of our world.

Attendees will have the day to refresh or learn how the Chinese uses Hungry Ghost Festival to give gratitude and use reflection through activities that will help promote cultural awareness, healing and celebration of life.

The Hungry Ghost Festival Tea Party is an outdoor event. All workshop instruction and performances will take part outdoors on the Chang Family lawn located in the Skagit Valley, surrounded by the Cascade foot hills to the east and to the southwest the Olympic Mountains. Please make sure you are ready to be outdoors and properly layered.

Menu:

Dumplings will have the following filling options: pork, chicken, and vegan/vegetarian

Rice Noodles will be lamb and baked tofu for vegans

Sushi rolls will be vegetarian / vegan

Daikon soup will have both bone and veggie broth

Altars, Offerings and Joss Paper Art Activities
This activity is meant to be both about reflecting on loved ones that have passed and the importance of caring about our ancestors. The art and altars created are meant to be burned.

Sponsorship Support:
If you want to help support the event and help to off set costs of food, materials and supplies. I would be grateful in your support. You can send me money via Venmo @Nantronic

Kids & Pets:
This is meant to be family friendly and all ages event. Dogs are welcome, naughty ones too - but they should be under control.

Encouraged to bring:
This weekend is about co-creating together. Please consider bringing a photo of the loved one(s) that you are honoring, consider bringing offerings like their favorite snacks / drinks / fruit.

Dai-Zen Farms has always been a working farm. The property consist of trees, wild grass, and other plants. There is plenty of shade, as well as sunny spots, we encourage you to bring your own camping, picnic and/or beach chairs, blankets, umbrellas etc. This is an outdoor event - please consider wearing.

There will be opportunity to pick plums and Asian pears. Make sure to bring bags. If you feel more comfortable with having your food, please feel free to even bring a cooler and a grill! This is a great day to drop in and out of activities. You can bring your games, books, and activities.