Hmong New Year Brings Color, Culture, and Community to Del Norte

By ROGER GITLIN

November 8, 2025 - Crescent Elk Middle School came alive today with the vibrant sights, sounds, and aromas of Hmong New Year — a cultural celebration blending harvest gratitude, family unity, and ancestral pride into one colorful, community-wide event.

For Hmong families, the New Year marks the end of the agricultural cycle and the beginning of new blessings. It’s a time to honor ancestors, renew family bonds, and pass cherished traditions from elders to youth. The celebration also opens its arms to the public — an invitation to see, taste, and learn. Culture only grows stronger when it’s shared.

Deep Roots in Freedom and Faith

The Hmong people trace their heritage to the mountain regions of Laos and Southeast Asia. Many families here in Del Norte County carry remarkable stories of courage and perseverance. During the Vietnam era, thousands of Hmong men and women stood shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. forces in what became known as the Secret War in Laos.

When the conflict ended, these loyal allies were persecuted for supporting the American cause. Many fled their homeland, often under fire, and came to the United States as refugees — bringing with them their faith, their language, and their unshakable spirit.

Today’s celebration is more than a festival — it’s a living testament to that journey. It honors generations who risked everything for freedom and opportunity, and it reminds us how their descendants continue to enrich the communities they now proudly call home.