OKLAHOMA CITY — OKC’s own Asian Night Market Festival returns this August and, for the first time, spans two days. The festival is one of the largest and most culturally-diverse events in Oklahoma and takes place August 18 and 19 at Military Park at 1200 NW 25th St. from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm both days.
This is a free event hosted by the Asian District Cultural Association and is open to all ages.
This year’s featured events
This year’s festivities include cultural performances, a fashion show, martial arts demonstrations, speed painting, dance classes, and more. This year also includes kid-friendly fun like arts and crafts, face painting, carnival games, and a photo-op with the OKC Zoo’s Safari Lights in the children’s area.
“There is plenty to do for everyone of all ages,” Asian District Executive Director Andrea Schultz said. “Most importantly, this event gives the Asian community of Oklahoma a chance to share our culture with the rest of our city, while giving the greater Oklahoma community a chance to come and have an immersive cultural experience right here in OKC.”
Friday holds the bulk of the interactive experiences with a Bollywood Dance Class, K-Pop Dance Class with Oklahoma’s own Steve Le, and a Hot Wing eating contest, which is open to the public. On Saturday, there will be more performances featuring the KANPAI Japanese Drum Team, Lion Dancers, and more.
One of the most anticipated events of the festival is the return of the fashion show showcasing traditional Asian clothing.
“The fashion show is going to be a blend of traditional clothing representing a wide variety of Asian countries, as well as a portion of modern pieces representing brands that are either Asian-owned and/or designed,” Schultz said. “It’s looking to be a show just as big, if not slightly bigger than last year, which is really exciting.”
Cultural cuisine
There will be no shortage of food options at the Asian Night Market Festival with nearly 80 food vendors offering a variety of cuisines like Korean, Halal, Thai Indian cuisine, and more.
Not only is the event home to various food vendors, but attendees can also expect the return of “Chef’s Fest,” hosted by Asian supermarket Super Cao Nguyen, featuring 40 of the best chefs from across the state, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm August 19 in the parking lot of Super Cao Nguyen.
Food tokens can be purchased for $5, and proceeds benefit Pivot OKC, a nonprofit working with local unhoused teens.
Featured chefs include James Beard Finalist Jeff Chanchaleune of Ma Der Lao, James Beard Winner Victoria Kemp of Florence’s, Top Chef Season 10 star Josh Valentine, “Chopped” winner Tabb Singleton of Phat Tabb’s, Guy’s Grocery Game competitor Kevin Lee, MasterChef star Gabe Lewis, and more.
Additionally, Bún Box, the much-anticipated vermicelli noodle concept by restaurateur Jenny Nguyen of Lee’s Sandwiches, will be having its grand opening at the festival as well. Nguyen is collaborating with Chef Danny Bowien, coming in from New York City to create an exclusive Korean/Vietnamese pop-up experience, available both nights of the festival from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
A chance to connect
There will also be several non-food vendors at this year’s festival.
Quill Hawk Publishing is one of many vendors, offering a chance to meet award-winning authors like Amy M. Le, author of Snow in Vietnam, Susan Kite, author of the Zorro’s Pacific Odyssey series, Eileen Hobbs, author of Under the Golden Rain Tree, and Patrick Greenwood, author of Sunrise in Saigon. Attendees will have an opportunity to have their books signed at the event.
Officials are expecting up to 50 thousand attendees for this year’s 2-day festival. Classen Boulevard will be closed to traffic from NW 23rd St. to NW 26th St to make the festival accessible to the public. Schultz said this will help bridge the east and west sides of the district. Parking will be available all around the district.
Schultz said she especially encourages folks to stop by for both days of the festival because the programming will be so different across the two days.
Link across generations
Asian District Cultural Association board member John Lee said that one of the main purposes of this annual event is to create a link between generations and learn more about Asian history.
“It’s hard to know your identity or your place in society, especially if you haven’t lived in or known much about your home country,” Lee said.
Not only is this event an important display of Asian history, but the entire district all year round can serve as a reminder of rich histories and of Oklahoma’s specific history.
In 1975, following the fall of Saigon, many Vietnamese refugees fled from Vietnam to America, and, with the involvement of a local Catholic charity, many were relocated to Oklahoma City. Today, 1.7% of Oklahoma City’s population is Vietnamese, compared to New York City, where Vietnamese Americans make up just .2% of the city’s population, according to a 2010 Census report.
Many restaurants in the Asian District are Vietnamese-owned, including Pho Lien Hoa, Lido Restaurant, Lee’s Sandwiches, Pho Cuong, Pho Ca Dao, and more. Supermarket Super Cao Nguyen is also Vietnamese-owned.
The Asian District Cultural Association has made an effort to celebrate local business owners and educate Oklahoma City residents on local history and Asian cultures all year with events like the Cultural and Culinary tour, Movies in Military Park, and more.
With so many events honoring Asian culture in Oklahoma City, this year’s Asian District Night Festival remains the most-anticipated with no shortage of activities for festival-goers of all ages, and above all tons of delicious food.
Zoe Travers has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks. She is also Oklahoma City’s most enthusiastic connoisseur of cheese danishes.
