2024 Mekong Night Festival
HMong American Leadership and Economic Development (HALED) is an Eau Claire-based organization that seeks to achieve economic wealth and social equity for HMong and Asian Americans through collective advocacy, leadership development, and access to resources. The organization and its leadership value compassion, equity, accountability, integrity, and innovation. HALED envisions a thriving community where everyone is socially and economically prosperous.
On August 17th, HALED will host the third annual Mekong Night Festival, a unique music and night market extravaganza in the North West Wisconsin Region that anticipates an even greater turnout. The festival will take place at River Prairie Park in Altoona, WI, offering a picturesque view of the Eau Claire River that runs through the city. This eagerly anticipated event is open to the public and features a captivating night concert that attracts thousands of individuals from the Chippewa Valley and neighboring regions.
The night festival will illuminate the vibrant tapestry of Southeast Asian and other ethnic cultures and entice attendees with an explosive fusion of delectable cuisine, captivating cultural displays, diverse music that resonates through the night, fun-filled family friendly festive activities and awe-inspiring performances that transport the imagination. Through this immersive experience, we celebrate the rich heritage and artistic expressions that emanate from Southeast Asians and other ethnic communities, creating an unforgettable celebration of creativity and cultural diversity. Attendees will have the opportunities to engage and network with local organizations, businesses, and leaders.
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, countless entrepreneurs have struggled to bounce back from the economic fallout, leading to a significant loss of cultural diversity in the food industry throughout the region. However, our team at HALED remains steadfastly committed to reigniting the flame of cultural inclusion and economic resilience in the North West Wisconsin Region. We recognize the crucial role that small businesses and local entrepreneurs play in the vitality of our communities and are dedicated to providing them with the opportunities and platforms they need to thrive once again. By creating avenues for wealth building and positive economic impact, we aim to not only support local businesses, but also to enhance the regional visibility of the Chippewa Valley and foster strong community relationships across different cultures. Together, we can cultivate a more vibrant and diverse community that celebrates our shared cultural heritage while fostering growth and prosperity for all.
The Mekong Night Festival strives to foster collective community building, cultural connectedness, and introduce the vibrancy of Southeast Asia’s most anticipated nightly festivities to the Chippewa Region. We believe the night festival will weave together the threads of community, spotlighting the talents of our local and under-represented artists, business owners, and emerging entrepreneurs, sparking economic growth to this region.
