Hmong New Year Celebration bringing people from around the world to Fresno
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- People from around the world are gathering in Fresno this week for the biggest Hmong New Year celebration in the United States.
More than 120,000 people will walk through the gates over the week-long Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration celebrating traditions from Thailand. More than 200 vendors come from all over the country to sell everything from the costumes to music to award-winning barbecue.
Though this is a long time tradition for the Central Valley-- this is the first time Hmong Cultural New Year Inc. will be holding this event at the fairgrounds.
Earlier this year the Big Fresno Fair Board of Directors selected Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration Inc. to organize this year's Hmong New Year festival. The group outbid the longtime organizer of the event Hmong International New Year Foundation-- the winning bid $352,000.
For thousands of years, the Hmong people have celebrated its most important cultural event, the Hmong New Year. This celebration provides a sense of identity and pride.
Traditionally, this annual event celebrates the conclusion of the harvest season and marks the end of a year's hard work and serves as a Thanksgiving Holiday.
The opening ceremony kicks off Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
Hmong New Year Celebration
December 26, 2017 - January 1, 2018
General Admission: $5
Ages 5 and under: Free
Ages 62+: $3
Military w/ ID: $3
