Relocating to Green Bay

Cultural events

The Green Bay area consistently hosts events that showcase the cultural flair of the diverse people who comprise our community.

MLK Jr. Celebration – third Monday of January

This event is organized by various groups in the Green Bay Community that include the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, UWGB, NWTC, local hospitals, businesses and interested community members. Each year on the third Monday of January, schools, federal offices, post office and banks across America close and celebrate the birth, the life and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a time for the nation to remember the injustices that Dr. King fought. A time to remember his fight for the freedom, equality and dignity of all races and peoples. The event is a time to remember the message of change through nonviolence.

Cinco De Mayo – May 5

This holiday commemorates the victory the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This year, the Cinco de Mayo celebration will be coupled with National Youth Service Week that is April 24-26 and National Volunteer Week, having a celebration on the 5th. The event is organized by the Volunteer Center, Green Bay Area Public Schools and the Hispanic Community Council. The Celebration features music, food, dancing and art.

Juneteenth – June 19

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19 as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States. This event is organized by NEWAMA (Northeast Wisconsin African American Association) and offers dancing, soul food, art and music and is held at Fisk Park. For more information, contact Triella Talbott-Williams.

NEW Pride Week – weekend of July 11

Now in its second year, the Northeastern Wisconsin Gay and Lesbian Pride week is returning to Joannes Park the weekend of July 11. Last year, the event was one day and this year they will be expanding it to three including a run/walk, educational symposiums, workshops, music and food.

Hispanic Information Fair – 2nd Saturday of August

This information fair at East High School offers an opportunity for booth rental and information sharing. Thousands of Latinos attend this event and look for information regarding schools, banking, real estate, law, health, entertainment and finance, just to name a few. There is also music and food available for purchase. The fair is sponsored by the Hispanic Community Council of Northeastern Wisconsin.

Hispanic Independence Celebration – Sept. 16

The event is held at Leicht Park on Sept. 16 of each year. Last year there were more than 8,000 visitors to this event. The event highlighted food, music, dancing and Mexican culture. Mexico’s first Independence Day was Sept.16, 1810, when Mexico declared was on Spain after three centuries of dominance. “La Revolución” was led by General Miquel Hildago y Costilla, whose “gritos” or cries for freedom echoed by his followers until Mexico finally became an independent republic in 1821. For more information, contact Gema Garcia.

Hmong New Year

Organized by the United Hmong Community Center of Green Bay, the Hmong New Year is celebrated at the Brown County Arena. One of the most unusual aspects of the Hmong culture is that the New Year Festival is celebrated with everyone in the community. The New Year is the only time of the year that these people have off work as they farm all year. So it is no wonder that this time of the year is most important as it fulfills all of their religious and social functions.

The Hmong do not always celebrate the New Year on the official date as it may not coincide with the end of the harvesting of the rice. It is also preferable that the New Year festival coincide with other nearby villages so that the unmarried men of the village can meet prospective wives in other communities as well. In Australia they celebrate at Christmas/New Year when they can have a holiday.

The New Year festival must be at least three days as it was considered bad luck for it to last a day that was an even number. It can last a month to a month and a half. For more information, contact Wa Yia Thao.

Oneida Pow Wow

Held annually on the Oneida Reservation, this event draws musicians and dancers from all over the country. Typically, a pow-wow consists of people (Native American and non-Native American alike) meeting in one area to dance, sing, socialize and generally have a good time. Pow-wows can vary in length from a single session of about five to six hours to three days with one to three sessions a day. Major pow-wows or pow-wows called for a special occasion can be up to one week long.