local folk religious festival

We were lucky to be at home on Sunday night ( aug 28th)  where we were able to see a local folk religious festival in play. Many of the older residences in our apartment block  along with their grandchildren had placed many hundreds of candles and incence at the opening to the apartment . After much discussion in my almost non existing Chinese and equally poor english from our hosts , we determined that this only happens once a year on this day.  The set up small shrines and prayed to the God of Earth to take care of their children in the coming year. Many locals we asked nearby  did not know of this festival or is origins , so perhaps it was only for the people that lived here. Maybe their is some significance for them ,.. Some research needs to be done  when my Chinese improves.