ST. PAUL — Thousands of people are expected to attend this year’s Hmong New Year celebration.

The event is being held at St. Paul’s RiverCentre today, Saturday and Sunday.

The 38th annual event will include dance, music, food, crafts and dress.

ChuPheng Lee is president of the Lao Family Community of Minnesota. Lee said the Hmong American community is an important part of Minnesota’s social fabric. Hmong and non-Hmong are welcome to join the celebration.

In their former homeland of Laos, the Hmong traditionally staged New Year’s festivals after the rice harvest in November or December. The tradition continued as they came to the United States.

The 2010 U.S. Census says there are 66,000 Hmong in Minnesota, making it the largest urban Hmong population worldwide.