The Kurdish American Development Organization (KADO) is expanding Newroz in Moorhead — a vibrant, public celebration of renewal, resilience, and cultural unity observed across Kurdish, Persian, Assyrian, and Afghan communities. Held on the spring equinox, Newroz marks new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness. In a region where many immigrant and refugee families have resettled after displacement and conflict, this celebration is more than a festival — it is healing, visibility, and belonging in action.
Each year, over 500 community members gather for traditional music, folk dance, poetry, storytelling, cultural dress, art displays, and the ceremonial lighting of the Newroz fire. The event is free and open to the public, welcoming the broader Fargo-Moorhead and West Central Minnesota community to experience Middle Eastern culture in an accessible, joyful, and educational environment. For many Kurdish families — predominantly rooted in Moorhead — this is the only large-scale public celebration of their heritage in the region.
Awesome Foundation funding will help us elevate Newroz by supporting local and regional dancers, musicians, and cultural artists; providing traditional instruments and artifacts for educational display; expanding youth performances; and increasing community outreach to ensure broader participation. We aim to grow attendance to over 800 participants this year while deepening cross-cultural engagement.
Newroz is awesome because it transforms public space into a stage for cultural pride and connection. It builds bridges across identities, generations, and backgrounds. It turns visibility into empowerment. And it invites the entire community to celebrate renewal — together.

Newroz is Spring Equinox and open to the public. KADO has been supporting Newroz for years and is free to the public. Kurdish people are the largest minority in Fargo Moorhead and a lot of the labor.