Mercedians, distinguished guests and visitors to town will mark Lao New Year on Saturday, April 30, from 10AM to 8PM, with a community celebration outside the Bangkok Thai Restaurant in downtown Merced.
There will be live bands, cultural performances, traditional food offerings and artisan vendors.
Among the highlights will be the “Giving Alms To Monks” at 10AM, and the Baci Blessing at 11AM
The event is produced by the Vatthanatham Lao Foundation and supported by the Lao Association of Merced.
Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto encourages all community members to participate in the Merced Lao New Year event to experience the unique culture, food, people and heritage that the event brings to our community.
The Lao American community has appreciated and embraced the notion of freedom with continued cultural preservation, unity, and pride in our youth, particularly so they can better appreciate their past and take charge of their future as productive citizens of the United States of America.