Bradley's answer is good, but I just want to add something. I think maybe the real issue is how to express the Chinese word 参加 in English. Am I right?
I know the dictionary says 参加 means "attend," "take part in," "join," and "participate," and that is true. But in many cases the best English word is actually "go to."
Example:我参加了聚会。
= I WENT TO the party.
NOT: I attended the party. This sentence is OK but it doesn't sound natural. Most native speakers say "went to" here.
Other examples:
I went to the meeting.
I'm going to a lecture tomorrow.
Did you go to the conference?
etc.
Additional details:
The sentences above are gramatically correct but some do not sound natural. Most native speakers in the U.S. would say:
I SANG / RAN / SWAM / etc. in the competition yesterday.
or: I was in the competition yesterday.
(Participate or take part in are OK if the sentences above don't fit your meaning.)
She called me while I WAS IN a meeting.
Huntsman will RUN FOR PRESIDENT next year.
My mother WENT TO CLASS yesterday.
Tom WENT TO swimming class this morning. (specific action at one specific time)
Tom TOOK swimming lessons as a child. (a routine in the past)