Hmong New Year Merced, December 18 - 21

[susancinsf]

Sigh.

http://www.hmongfestivals.com/images/...

With bad timing: I will miss this big event this year; thanks to dear friends deciding to renew their wedding vows in Phoenix the same weekend.

Not a lot of detail available, other than the most important detail: there will be food. It may be the largest such event in California.

Hope some other hounds will report back!

[PolarBear]

I seem to recall hearing the one here in Fresno is the largest gathering in the country. It's held Dec 26 to Jan 2, I believe. Here's the website:

http://www.hmongnewyear.us/index.htm

PDF of program
www.hmongnewyear.us/PDF/hiny2009progr...

[susancinsf]

Thanks PolarBear! Yep, given the length and number of events, clearly Fresno is larger...I knew if I posted someone would give a link to one I can fit in my schedule! Have you ever been? Do you know if most of the food is Hmong, or if the vendors serve all types of 'fair' food?

[PolarBear]

I've been about three times I think in the past 5 years helping a co-worker man our agency's booth. There's a multitude of food vendors and I don't recall seeing one that offered anything other than traditional Hmong food. The second year I ordered the green papaya salad, prepared in a molcajete right in front of me, I asked for half the amount of peppers and the heat of it still kicked my butt. Tons of different meats being BBQ'd, olfactory overload walking though the food section which is the north end of the fairgrounds along E. Kings Canyon Ave.

[Jeff Avis]

I agree with PB. It is a must do celebration for folks interested in Hmong food and tradition. Very colorful event with a large amount of the Hmong wearing traditional wear with the music of their culture ringing in the background. Unfortunately rain has done it's best to deter the celebration for the last couple years although it hasn't affected the number of Hmong attending with unbrellas. The Hmong people come from Minnesota and all over the U.S. for this event.