On Saturday, Portland’s Glenhaven Park was alive with vibrant sounds of dance music, enticing aromas from a variety of cuisines, and a spirited celebration as the 11th annual New Year in the Park Festival took place.
This festival, dedicated to honoring the diverse cultures of Southeast Asia, attracted hundreds of attendees, including 190 performers, numerous vendors, and a variety of booths from cultural organizations. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and featured a lively parade that wound through the festival grounds.
Event founder Saron Khut expressed his vision for the festival, emphasizing the importance of community connection in celebrating Southeast Asian cultures. “We celebrate New Year’s in April, and what better way to bring the community, the Lao, Cambodian, Thai, and most of Southeast Asia and South Asia together to just enjoy the day?” Khut stated. His Cambodian restaurant, Mekong Bistro, is located in Northeast Portland.
Khut noted that the Solar New Year, usually celebrated around mid-April, is a significant event in many Southeast Asian countries. “It’s the hottest season of the year in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, and after we harvest all our crops, we take a break. We’re resting and we’re celebrating, and that’s what the New Year is all about,” he explained.
This year’s festival showcased a rich array of cultures, including those from Thai, Hmong, Laotian, Cambodian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Burmese, Indian, Tamil, and Sri Lankan backgrounds, among others. Khut emphasized, “This is the only celebration that we have that combines everyone together in one day, one event.”
The festival’s diversity was evident in the variety of food vendors present at Glenhaven Park on Saturday. Attendees enjoyed dishes from across Southeast Asia, enhancing the multicultural experience. Annie Singharaj, who previously participated in Portland’s Jade International Night Market, grilled seasoned steak and served steamed sticky rice at the Pheng’s Pha Khao booth.
Another highlight was the Kanom Krok pancakes offered by Snack Fest vendor ImJai Thai Street Food. The festival was bustling with eager patrons lined up for hot dumplings, savory soups, meat skewers, and flavorful noodles, representing a wide range of Southeast Asian cuisines.
Mya Sandy Myint, the owner of Sandy’s Myanmar Cuisine, expressed her joy at the festival’s atmosphere. “We love to see everybody and all the different cultures, the very beautiful dancing and all the kinds of food,” she remarked. Myint and two volunteers served mohinga, a traditional fish soup with rice noodles, along with fresh-fried samosas and various other dishes.
Under a covered stage, the festival was alive with music as performers showcased a variety of traditional dance styles and songs from Southeast Asia. Pootnavi Sok, participating for the first time, shared her enthusiasm for showing her culture through dance. “I’m really appreciative to be here and to be able to dance in front of so many people,” Sok said.
Sok, who dances with Natasinh Lao PDX, prepared to perform the Dok Bua Tong, better known as the lotus dance, which conveys love and admiration. Reflecting on her experience at the festival, she stated, “New Year’s is my favorite time of the year, it is the best time of the year for me. Being able to see everyone come together and celebrate is such a beautiful thing to witness, especially with everyone performing and talking and making all these connections. It’s just beautiful to see.”
The New Year in the Park Festival serves as a unique celebration of cultural unity and a testament to the rich tapestry of Southeast Asian traditions and community spirit.
— Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime, and community news. Reach them at [email protected] or 503-221-4313.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2025/04/portland-new-years-in-the-park-celebrates-cultures-of-se-asia.html
