Cooking with Nana

Vatthanatham Lao Foundation's 2026 Merced Lao Boat Racing Festival | September 12, 2026. Let's GO!

We are a little over one month away from the 2026 Merced Lao Boat Racing Festival. Please share with your family and friends and come join us. This event is open to all. We encourage everyone to carpool, as the parking was filled all the way from the back to front entrance last year.

Thank you to our sponsors
⚝ Emerald: UC Merced (exclusive)
⚝ Diamond: (2 still available).
⚝ Platinum: Merced College
⚝ Gold: Merced County Office of Education
⚝ Gold: Mercy Medical Center Merced
⚝ Cash Award Sponsor: Na Nah Thong Thai & Lao Street Food

This event is also supported in part by grants from:
⚝ California Arts Council
⚝ Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

Sharing on behalf of Vatthanatham Lao Foundation.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

If you haven't registered your team to race in the 2026 Merced Lao Boat Racing Festival please go to https://forms.gle/XH2XYoREHLcSXVrz5 or scan the QR code in the flyer. If you don't have a team, you're also welcome to come to practice days to try it out and find a team to join.

🏆 New for 2026: Championship Cash Awards! 🏆

We're excited to announce that the 2026 Merced Lao Boat Racing Festival will award both championship trophies and cash awards to the top three finishers in each racing division!

Open Division

🥇 1st Place — Trophy + $500 Cash Award
🥈 2nd Place — Trophy + $250 Cash Award
🥉 3rd Place — Trophy + $100 Cash Award

Mixed Division

🥇 1st Place — Trophy + $500 Cash Award
🥈 2nd Place — Trophy + $250 Cash Award
🥉 3rd Place — Trophy + $100 Cash Award

Our festival has always been about celebrating Lao culture, friendship, and community through recreational competition. In addition to the trophies, these championship cash awards are our way of recognizing the dedication and teamwork of the top finishing crews while keeping the spirit of the event fun, welcoming, and family-friendly.

Gather your crew and we'll see you on the water this September!

Please share and help get Thalia back home to her family in the USA. See the Gofundme link to read about her story --> https://gofund.me/78f721b6f

Please help bring Thalia back home to her family in Amarillo, Texas. See the gofundme link in the post. If you're not able to help with money, please help share her story.