SHEBOYGAN – The Hmong Mutual Assistance Association of Sheboygan and the JoinUs Hmong Cafe will host a Hmong Day Celebration to honor Hmong heritage and share community.
Hmong American Day is observed May 14, but HMAA is moving the festivities to May 15 to streamline resources and make the free community lunch hosted at the Hmong Community Center on Thursdays more special.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of U.S.-Hmong military airbase Long Cheng in Laos during the Laotian Civil War, also known as the “Secret War.” The conflict became a proxy war between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Vietnam War. The event catalyzed the resettlement of thousands of Hmong families to refugee camps and their immigration to the United States during the 1970s and 1980s.
“We want to honor that part of our history, and really wanted to give back to the community,” said M Chang, director of operations.
More than 62,000 individuals identify as Hmong live in the state and nearly 5,200 Hmong people live in Sheboygan, according to population estimates. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed May 14 Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in 2021. Hmong Day is also recognized in Minnesota and California.
In addition to a free meal, the micro festival will bring together Hmong professionals, businesses and vendors, like Chubby Bunny Boba food truck, to the community center. Partners, like the Sheboygan Area School District and Bookworm Gardens, will also host resource booths.
Sheboygan native Tina Yang, a Hmong tattoo artist and owner of Spider Ivy Ink, will host a tattoo pop-up, and students part of North High’s Hmong Empowering Youth and South High’s Hmong Student Organization will facilitate Hmong crafts and face painting. Kohler Co.-donated raffles and activities, like cornhole, will also be included.
Ka Lee, a volunteer with the JoinUs Hmong Cafe, envisions a multigenerational event that can expand on the free community meal, which typically draws seniors and individuals from vulnerable populations.
In collaboration with the Sheboygan County Food Bank, volunteer Nenglee Vang said the Hmong Cafe serves about 30 to 40 meals each Thursday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cafe is also supported by the broader Hmong community, including businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, gardeners and Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization’s Farmers’ Market vendors.
Lee said the cafe opened in August 2023 to provide Hmong cuisine, like stir fry and traditional chicken noodle soup, and community for those who may not be comfortable at other hot kitchens in Sheboygan because of language barriers or dietary restrictions.
Hmong Summer Festival canceled, application lost amid city network cyber attack
The inaugural event is especially important for the Hmong community with the cancellation of 2025 Summer Festival, which has been hosted for more than 25 years.
Chang said HMAA’s event permit application was lost amid the cyber attack to the city’s network in the fall. The organization resubmitted the application in January, but the park space for the planned weekend was already taken.
The Common Council approved more than $461,000 in tax funds for cybersecurity upgrades at the end of 2024.
Lee said the Summer Festival has been a place of community and family gathering, reminiscent of soccer tournament festivals and flea markets with food, clothing and other goods, in Thailand. She said people come from all over to visit the festival, even out of state.
“Every summer, that’s what people look forward to, and now that’s not something that we’ll be having this year,” Lee said.
She’s hopeful the Hmong Day Celebration will provide a similar space for community.
The Department of Public Works could not be immediately reached for comment.
How to participate in Hmong Day Celebration
The Hmong Day Celebration will be at the Hmong Community Center, 2304 Superior Ave., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 15. A free meal will be offered 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tattoos are $100 per design and for attendees 18 years old and older. The event is largely free, besides food vendors and the tattoo pop-up.
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Share a free meal, make Hmong crafts and more at Sheboygan Hmong Day Celebration
Reporting by Alex Garner, Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
