Tet, the Vietnamese celebration of the Lunar New Year, continues this weekend with a popular festival at the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.
On Saturday, following an ancestral procession and an opening ceremony, thousands of visitors enjoyed cultural performances, a children’s pageant and a show of brightly colored, traditional Ao Dai dresses. They wandered a replica of a traditional Vietnamese village, learning traditional arts and practices.
Young drum line performers watch as older members of the group perform during the UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thien An Performing Arts dancers take part in the opening ceremonies during the UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A singing of both the Vietnamese and the American National Anthems is part of the opening ceremony during UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ryan But, 7, is hidden inside his lion dancer costume during the UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Elliott Jones, 1, checks out the Tree of Prosperity Li Xi Lucky Red Envelopes Exhibit during the UVSA Tet Festival in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023,(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Drum line performers with Thien An Performing Arts, take part in the UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thien An Performing Arts members take part in the UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gavin Nguyen, along with other Boy and Girl Scouts of Fountain Valley, takes part in a flag ceremony during the UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Two girls in the Thien An Performing Arts drum line make eye contact with each other during the UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
After a dance performance at the UVSA Tet Festival in Costa Mesa, a little girl gathers confetti on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
At the UVSA Tet Festival in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023, a couple thousand people, including local officials and the public, bow their heads to pay respect to the victims of two mass shootings. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Colorful lanterns adorn the three-day UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 28, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Throughout the afternoon and evening, celebrants had fun in eating contests, singing karaoke and watching a Super Smash Bros Tournament. There is a carnival area, food court and lots of shopping.
The festival organized by the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations continues Sunday at the OC Fair & Event Center from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $8.
