Thousands of people are expected to attend the 18th Annual Hmong Pre-New Year Celebration at Lake Pacawa in Plover this weekend.

The event started with an opening ceremony meant to bless everyone for the new year and send bad spirits away before next year. During the celebration, Hmong dress in traditional clothing, sell art, enjoy food and listen to live music.

The director of events says that about 1,500 people will attend the celebration over the weekend, and expect to raise about $15,000 to fund their cultural programming, to preserve ethnic traditions and cultures in Hmong communities.

It takes over 100 volunteers and most of the year to plan this event. Kawn Thoj, a visitor at the event says it's very important to keep the Annual Pre-New Year Celebration going, "Because, the main reason I think for all these ceremonies and events like this is for families, relatives and friends from far away you find once a year come and see eachother and reunite and share their stories and their life stories."