Thousands flocked to Hmong International Freedom Festival in St. Paul on Saturday, undeterred by rain, heat or humidity.
The two-day event at Como Park, one of the largest Hmong gatherings in the country, had a special resonance this year, the 50th anniversary of the Hmong arrival in the United States.
Mee Vang, president of United Hmong Family, which hosts the event, called it “The Big Dance” because people from all over the world come every year to celebrate Hmong culture.
“We are truly Hmong Americans and embracing this as our home,” Vang said.
The first Hmong families came to Minnesota as refugees at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 when communists took over neighboring Laos. Since then, Minnesota has become a hub of the Hmong community.
Freedom Fest, informally known as “Hmong J4,” began as a picnic 43 years ago and has grown to a festival that attracted 57,000 people last year, according to United Hmong Family.
Sports competitions are the draw for many, with nearly 200 men’s and women’s teams competing in soccer, flag football, volleyball, top spin and kato.
The event also includes scores of food booths and other vendors, and performances by local and international musicians and dancers.
Michelle Yang, who came to the festival from California, said she has been attending for over 30 years to watch her family play sports. She said she is proud to see how the festival has grown.
“I’ve watched all those 50-year-olds play soccer since I was a little girl,” Yang said. “So it’s really nice to see them all play still.”
Vang said she hopes the annual festival will keep Hmong children in touch with their culture, as many Hmong children do not know a lot about their heritage and do not speak the language.
“Our children will learn Hmong language through listening to music by our artists,” Vang said.
Cheng Xiong, a father who brought his kids to the festival on Saturday, said he hopes his kids will keep going to the festival by the time they are his age.
“I hope it goes strong, and I hope it continues,” Xiong said.
