Echoes of history and homecoming converged Saturday in Atwater, as hundreds gathered to celebrate Hmong American Day — a sweeping tribute to the community’s determination in Merced County, and its collective 50-year journey from war to belonging.
Underneath clear skies, a welcome banner greeted attendees and directed them toward the main stage at the Castle Memorial Parade Ground.
There, performances, acknowledgments and cultural tributes took place throughout the day.
The Merced County Courthouse Museum provided historical context through displays of Hmong cultural artifacts, alongside a photo wall that highlighted key innovations and achievements from the community’s past.
People of all ages gathered quietly around the photo wall, absorbing the powerful images and reconnecting with the stories that shaped their community’s journey.
Families strolled from booth to booth, exploring their heritage through cultural exhibits while enjoying face painting, shopping and the sounds of children laughing as they wandered through the park.
At the park’s heart, visitors gathered around traditional Hmong games and artifacts, from spinning tops in Tuj Lub or flicking marbles in Guli, adding to the hands-on celebration of culture.
A couple paused along a Hmong Heritage Exhibit. The display featured traditional garments, handmade tools and wooden serving trays. This offered a glimpse into the cultural practices and domestic life that Hmong families carried with them through generations and across continents.
Nearby, a man leaned into the handle of a traditional Hmoob Lub Zeb, a rice grinder carved from stone, mounted on a hand-built wooden frame. He pressed the wooden lever with steady, rhythmic motion, simulating how Hmong families did the same for generations.
A few steps from he rice grinder, the steady thunk of wooden mallets striking steamed rice echoed across the lawn. Two women took turns in a traditional practice of tuav ncuac, a Hmong technique used to pound sticky rice into mochi to be filled with sweets.
Along the edges of the park, booths brimmed with colorful textiles, intricate embroidery and rows of traditional Hmong garments swaying in the breeze.
Nearby, a woman carefully painted a rainbow across a young girl’s face as she sat dressed in black with a vibrant sash, taking in the moment.
Dressed in colorful, embroidered outfits, a group of girls clustered around a vendor’s booth, looking at trinkets and deciding what to buy.
No celebration is complete without food. The event featured the very best of Hmong culinary traditions. Booths sizzled with fresh ingredients, long-held recipes, and the inviting scent of dishes made to be shared.
In one of the busiest booths, two women worked side-by-side, frying up golden egg rolls called ncuav qab zib, made fresh in batches to keep up with the crowds. The sound of oil crackling was constant as customers lined up for the crisp delicacy.
Close by, a man stood over a hot grill turning thick slabs of tri-tip, a Central Valley staple reimagined with Hmong Spices and marinades. The aroma of charred meat drifted through the air, luring people from across the park to check out the smoke-filled booth, which also had Hmong-style sausages on a second grill.
At another tent, a duo served up ncuav txom ncaug, fried pork turnovers shaped like small golden pillows. Each one pulled from a bubbling hot pot of oil, drained and plated with care.
A local realtor connected with the community by raffling a 50 pound bag of Jasmine rice, a pantry staple in Hmong households, while handing out bottled water and promoting her business.
Even the furry attendees got in on the celebration. One tiny pup, dressed head to tail in custom regalia, trotted through the grass like royalty, drawing smiles from passersby and earning more than a few photo ops.
