Last weekend was be The Hmong American New Year! This event was held at the Minnesota State Fair during both Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 in the morning until 7:00 during the evening. At the new year there was lots of traditional hmong food (sausage with sticky rice, boba tea (drink) , pho (chicken soup), kao phong (chicken soup), chicken leg with rice, tri color (drink) and ect.) The food prices were ranging from $4-7 dollars. There was a singing competition, dance and the traditional Miss and Mr Hmong pageant. This is held every year and lots of people all around do come to celebrate with the Hmong Americans in Minnesota. With this event there were many sponsors that helped out  put this event together, ranging from local Saint Paul business and or even the large city businesses. Personally I would say this Hmong new year isn’t as big as the River Center one which is during thanksgiving break every year but this one is the most diverse Hmong new years in Minnesota. I say this because the not all of our sponsors are Hmong people, there was many diverse speakers and MC’s at the event.

My favorite activity to do at the hmong new year is ball toss. Its normally with one boy and one girl that plays catch with a ball, whoever drops the ball first owes the other food or some other sort of prize. During the hmong new year the sounds you can hear most is the clashing sounds of coins on our traditional clothing. The coins and hmong necklaces used to be very heavy but as we evolved the coins and necklaces are now made from softer metals such as aluminum so it’s less heavy to wear. The new year was overall a great way to filled a weekend.