DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) – The Green Bay Parks Department is celebrating the return of the Hmong Pre-New Year Festival to the Brown County Fairgrounds.
The festival drew a diverse crowd this past weekend, including city leaders, and Hmong heroes of the Vietnam war.
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“Happiness, joy, and prosperity!” declared Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach as he cut the ribbon along with Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich to usher in the event’s return.
“The Hmong community is such an essential part of Green Bay, Wisconsin,” said Mayor Genrich. “And that state of Wisconsin and our country. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those Veterans who served in the Vietnam War.”
The opening ceremonies of the 2-day festival included a tribute to the generals who fought communism in southeast Asia. Some of them came in from Minnesota to take part.
These are the same fighters who then followed the late and legendary leader General Vang Pao to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California when they were forced from their own country. His son now carries his father’s message.
“Unfortunately the US government pulled out from Laos, South Vietnam, and Cambodia,” WaChong Vang explained. “But, we are happy the US government brought us into this country for 49 years.”
Brown County Sheriff Todd DeLain and Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis were also part of the opening ceremonies filled with music and dance.
Two different peoples, two different cultures that formed a connection during war are now working to strengthen that connection in peace.
The festival had been absent for several years, but organizers are pleased with its comeback.
There was even a car show, plenty of shopping, and food.
“It’s similar to Thanksgiving,” said Hmong Center of Green Bay Board Member Teng Vang. “In our country, we celebrate this at the end of the harvest season and it’s a time to relax and enjoy.”
The Hmong New Year celebrations are spread over several months, depending on the location of the Hmong community.
The Fox Valley celebration is coming up on November 16th and 17th at the Fox Valley Exhibition Center in Appleton. It’s free during the day with varying prices for night-time shows.
