The highly anticipated Eau Claire Hmong New Year celebration brought together more than 4,000 attendees for two days of festivities on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27. Hosted at the Sonnentag Event Center, the event was a lively showcase of Hmong culture, featuring dancing, singing, exhibitions, competitions, and food.

The celebration kicked off Saturday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and was attended by prominent figures such as state Sen. Jeff Smith, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, actress Tamlyn Tomita (known for The Karate Kid Part II and Avatar: The Last Airbender), and City Manager Stephanie Hirsch.

Attendees were greeted by rows of merchandise vendors offering a wide variety of goods, ranging from traditional Hmong handicrafts and jewelry to modern fashion and accessories. Food vendors added to the festive atmosphere, serving up unique Hmong and Asian cuisine, such as mochi donuts, Korean corndogs, egg rolls, papaya salad, pork belly, and Hmong sausages. The aromas and flavors were a powerful draw, with long lines forming at popular booths throughout the weekend. For many attendees, the event is not just a celebration of the past but a hopeful look toward the future of Hmong culture in Eau Claire.

Keep up with the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association online.