The Minnesota Hmong New Year was celebrated for the first time in 1979 and is now an annual event in late November/early December. It is hosted by The United Hmong Family, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and promoting Hmong culture. St. Paul has the largest Hmong population of any city in the United States, and the Minnesota Hmong New Year is a great way to highlight this fact. There are vendors who dispense food, flowers, and other merchandise. There are also opportunities to have your picture taken, toss a ball, and participate in other ways.  There is a dance competition, a singing competition, and an essay contest as well.