Members of the Hmong community gather for a celebration of one of the most important holidays of their year.

The Hmong New Year Celebration kicked off Saturday at the McPhee Center on the UW-Eau Claire campus.

It's a traditional festival used to celebrate the end of the harvest and open to the public. The event features food, traditional and modern entertainment, and shopping.

Hmong leaders say it's an important time to teach young people about the culture.

"There is going to be a team jeopardy game coming up soon which will basically quiz the youths about the Hmong culture and the Hmong history," says Hmong Association Director Evan Xiong.

The event continues Sunday from 8am to 4pm at the McPhee center Admission is three dollars.