Source: Visalia Times-Delta

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/news/stories/20030421/localnews/157504.html

On April 21, 2003 the Visalia Times-Delta reported that "to remember and celebrate Lao culture, hundreds of Laotians from throughout the [CA] state, including Khounpaseuth, made their way to the Lao Buddhist Temple in Visalia Saturday to celebrate the Lao New Year... The New Year is considered the most important annual celebration for the Lao community. It is a celebration of asking for forgiveness, paying respect to elders, reuniting with family, cleansing and having fun... In Visalia, festivities to ring in the Year of the Goat included water fights to wash away bad luck, religious ceremonies and meditation, traditional dance, food such as papaya salad, and a Miss Lao New Year pageant."