Right next door to Glenview, my hometown of Skokie has a tradition that many Skokie students enjoy and dread - the annual Backlot Bash. Oftentimes nicknamed the "Back to School Fair," our downtown summer street festival has been hosted every last weekend before Labor Day since 2007. The event has carnival rides, local food vendors, live music, and contributions from various organizations from the Skokie community.

I grew up going to the Backlot Bash with my family and then with friends and same-age cousins as I got older. Seeing the signs all over town about the Backlot Bash meant that summer was coming to a close and that I needed to go school supply shopping.

This year was the first year I got to play an active role in the Backlot Bash as an art vendor. As I was selling my Skokie postcards and resin wares, I got into discussions with people about the history of Skokie and about the random cutouts of Charlie Chaplin all over the fairgrounds. It surprised me that most people didn't know the reason for the celebrations and traditions surrounding the Backlot Bash.

Why did they even call it a "Backlot Bash?"

The Backlot Bash is named after Skokie's history as a backlot for movies. In the early 1900s, old Western movies were filmed along the streets near where the Skokie Theater now stands. Even in the 1980s, parts of Skokie were locations for films, including the movie Sixteen Candles (Niles North, where I graduated, was the set for some scenes in the movie). More recently, shows like Chicago Fire have filmed and even shopped for costumes in Skokie, continuing its long history of being part of the film and television industry.

The reason behind celebrations is just as important as the rituals and traditions that come along with them. Knowing the 'why' behind what we do gives even more meaning to how carry on our particular traditions. The meaning also increases the likelihood that these traditions will continue with the next generation.

I'm hoping that at a future Backlot Bash, someone will take note of a random Charlie Chaplin cutout and tell the story of Skokie that they heard from that one pink-haired vendor selling postcards. That way, the spirit of Skokie's summertime tradition continues on and is never forgotten.

Mooncakes are symbolic of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Their round shape symbolizes completeness and unity, as it is an important time for families to reunite and spend time together.

Watch the video and learn the story of Jasmine's family and their celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.