29th Annual International July4th Hmong Soccer Tournament in MN
Posted on 05 July 2009
Speaking of J4, every year in St. Paul MN for the last 29 years they had been celebrating the fourth of July with a international sports tournament, well the highlighted sport is Soccer but now there are also sports such as volleyball, tublub (top) and now even flag football that are played and thousands of Hmong people from the across the United States and even in other countries gather to shop and eat while they watch these sports. This event is held every July 4th weekend for two days.
I had been to this J4 event about 3 times since 2000. My first time going to this event I was only 14 years old, I was amazed at the amount of people that showed up. Of course at this event we always spend a lot of money on the yummy food which may be plats of sticky rice (majority of the time it’s purple sticky rice) with Hmong sausage, or Chicken or pork and etc. They also serve my favorite papaya salad and even nava. There are all types of food and food venders from across MN and some even from nearby states. But of course they all serve just about the same type of food, only some are done slightly differently.
There are also different types of venders beside food venders. There are venders that sells movies and music albums, movies may be Hmong made movies onto Hmong dubbed movies and even subtitles movies (I always spend lots of money on Hmong dubbed Thai lakorns whenever I go to these events). There are also clothing venders that sales the latest fashion or Hmong clothes and fashions. Also small venders such as Hmong medicines are there as well. People who want to promote their small business also have booth as well. And Hmong bands always show up with a booth and promote their music, they even offer free live shows for all to see. Popular bands and upcoming bands always try to release their newest and latest albums around this time if not during the New Years. There are even entertainments at the main stage with performers and dancers. Performers may be bands and soloist singing and performing the most favorite or newest songs. Dancers may perform their newest Hmong dance in their nice traditional Hmong or Laos clothes.
It’s also a great even to meet new people as well or maybe be reunited with old friends whom you had not seen in many years. Honestly each time I go to this event I always end up seeing someone I know that I don’t normally see here at home.
At night there are different events for different age group. There are the elder parties (I had never been to one so I don’t know how it goes down) but I do know that elders in MN love to party, which is a bit scary for me. There are clubs and concert for the younger crowds. Concerts maybe purchased in advance at the booth or what not.
I wasn’t able to attend this years MN J4 tournament since I decided to go to California instead, but I do plan on going maybe next year. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been back to this event.
7 responses to 29th Annual International July4th Hmong Soccer Tournament in MN
Don’t forget the gangs initiation that takes place at this supposely peaceful event too.
It sounds very much like July 4th at Wat Lao Buddhavong in VA that I attended, but less the gangs initiation I assumed.
Typhoon won in men’s soccer again! They were the best team and deserved winning again. Lao Family was disorganized as usual when it came to the sports organization…one would think that they would have gotten their act together by now, but no.
Deserve winning… Are you serious? What a ridiculous thing to say. Did you see the number of fans watching the championship match and the number of fans leaving after the last ALL HMONG team lost. I hear the draw for championship was rigged. Lao Family should be embarrassed for their actions and rules. There’s nothing wrong against having other communities join us, but whatever happened to the 70-30% rules. I don’t see other communities inviting us (the HMONG) to join such a big and prideful cultural event. People, wake up and smell the coffee… that team wasn’t even Typhoon except for 2 players. DD, you should be ashamed.
-LV
Not sure if you know already or not but…just thought I’ll say something. Nava is call tri-color. Don’t ask me why, I just learn that a few year back. Besides that, I think you cover a lot of thing regarding to J4. Even a Minnesotan like me can’t describe better than you. I’ve been there twice only my entire life in MN but, I’m looking forward to next year since you’re coming.
Keep me posted so I can make a sign to greet you.
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yay!