Excitement is building for Saturday’s Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration of Tet, which is similar to the traditions of Christmas.

“It’s the most important day of the year. If good things happen on the New Year, then the rest of the year will be good,” said Lang Tran, president of the Vietnamese Student Association.

Traditionally, the year was kicked off with firecrackers, which were used to scare off evil spirits.

The three-day celebration was filled with family, good will and a sense of renewal.

“Each year is associated with an animal, and this year is the Year of the Tiger,” Tran said.

Tran said the Year of the Tiger is celebrated like the American New Year, but because it is based on the lunar calendar it lands on a different day each year.

The calendar has a 12-year cycle, in which a different animal represents each cycle.

“[In Vietnam] they still practice a form of ancestral worship with an alter in their homes,” Tran said.

He said the Vietnamese burn incense and make offerings of fruit, flowers and special foods.

“[They] also go to church or a pagoda to pray for good luck in the coming year,” he said.

According to information provided by Tran, participants visit friends and family during the celebration.

Proper behavior between parties on the first visit is thought to bring good luck in the coming year.

Because of this belief, families often arrange to have someone of high moral character be the first guest.

Though Tet traditionally is celebrated on Jan. 28, the Vietnamese Student Association of Iowa State will commemorate this Saturday.

Festivities will include free entertainment, food, music and dancing. Tran encourages student participation in the event.

The celebration, which will be held at North Grand Church of Christ, 919 30th St., will begin at 6:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies.

Tran said a lion dance, which is an old form of entertainment, also is on the party list.

“It’s a popular dance. There’s a story about when the lion awakens and brings in the New Year,” he said.

Other cultural skits, traditional dances and performances also will be a part of the variety show.

The free buffet will include authentic Vietnamese food, and a professionally DJ’d dance will follow with traditional Vietnamese music and American dance hits.

The event is free and open to the public.