Fresno's Hmong New Year Cultural Celebration is the largest Hmong- American New Year event in the United States. It was held at the Fresno Fair Grounds from December 28, 2024, through December 31, 2024, and celebrates cultural identity, unity & dignity. It is estimated over 100,000 participants come annually, many traveling from other states in the US.

Small Farms Team Marianna Castiaux and attendees of Hmong New Year smile for the camera. Photo Credit: Irene Briseno

Small Farms Team Contributes

The Small Farms Fresno and Merced team hosted a booth with kid activities and display of beneficial insects and pests found in the field. Participants learned about beneficial insects through use of the microscopes or making art.

The Small Farms Team hosts a table with activities for children and information for all ages. Photo Credit: Irene Briseno

Many Activities!

A lot of fun occurred at the Pageant & Dance Competition with dances and dress, representing the different Hmong Tribes. In addition, a match-making ball toss, occurred near the volleyball court, in case you wanted to find your new girl/boyfriend. Bamboo purple rice was shared with local grower Eu Yang of KB Farms. 

The Pagent and Dance Competition was an exciting and lively display of Hmong culture. Photo Credit: Marianna Castiaux

Notable at the fairgrounds a statue of Vang Pao was erected at the Fresno Fairgrounds dedicated in the 2011 Hmong New Year. Vang Pao ( 8 December 1929 – 6 January 2011) was a major general in the Royal Lao Army  (the only Hmong member) and later a leader of the Hmong American community in the United States. In all, Hmong New Year is a wonderful event, enjoyed by everyone. We are fortunate to have such diversity, culture in Fresno

References

Castle, Timothy Neil (1 March 1995). At War in the Shadow of Vietnam: United States Military Aid to the Royal Lao Government, 1955–75. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-07977-8.

https://www.visitfresnocounty.org/hmong-cultural-new-year-celebration/

Miss Hmong Grand International