Chicago’s Thai population is truly a contributive bunch as the Thai Festival so obviously put with their loveable demonstrations at Federal Plaza today.

Everything transportable about Thailand found itself at the cross sections of Chicago on 219 S. Dearborn St. through the collective efforts of these people. This morning I witnessed a proud sight as the opening drum parade made its way around the square, beckoning everyone in the vicinity to attend an event that gives back to the city of Chicago for its warm embrace of Thai culture over the years.

What to See at the Thai Festival

Traditional dances and music were ongoing as I walked about, a testament to Thailand’s said musical culture. Every 10 minutes a new band would grace the stage and offer up a whole new set of images. The ladies who performed the Serng Kala Dance did so in such a delicate fashion and extravagant dresses. Making use of their hands and elbows, while at the same time maintaining a certain posture, these girls were a visible art form. The music that accompanied the dances had my ear deciphering between the unusual instruments that were used. One instrument in particular produced sounds that were equivalent to two tea cups scraped against one another, but with a more elegant ring to it than you would imagine.

The most delightful part of the festival was seeing all of the Thai children, many of whose parents were either in the audience or in the acts, around the plaza dressed from head to toe in traditional Thai clothing. The boys sported drop crotch saggy pants that reminded me of Yul Brynner’s character the King of Siam from the 1956 classic The King and I and his known authoritative postures. These children were truly kings and queens for a day in their decorations and own respects.  Organizers involved these little ones in a Thai Kid’s fashion show that had the mistakes and the smiles—all that is needed really—to win over the hearts of everyone at the gathering. Inclusion of what must have been the entire family, revealed to me the degree to which the Thai people went in their presentation. Thai festival was an opportunity for them to give Americans a genuine perspective of Thai culture.

The festival is an absolute steal, I bought a pair of sophisticated Thai chopsticks for only a $1. Granted they still need to be put to the test, my carry outs for the time being will now have a better purpose other than being just a means to an end. While browsing, I also saw an arrangement of colored silk scarves and flower pressed bookmarks that immediately made me think of potential gifts for my sisters and mother. I played it safe and went with the bookmark over the scarf, only to double back to the selection of chopsticks. Muay Thai boxing shorts were also being sold for $20, a small price to pay for an outfit that intimidates even the warriors in your self-defense class. Lastly, I cannot help but mention the Thai massage booth at the festival that had a masseuse curling his knuckles over and over again into the backs of people wearing blue and white button-ups. A good 15 minutes in that chair and lunch break will take on a whole new meaning.

Thai cuisine is renowned for its healthy characteristics that sacrifice hardly any taste. Several vendors have put together a menu of eats that take the tongue to the Far East and back. Massaman Kai hits you with the unexpected as fresh chunks of pineapple can be found alongside baby tomatoes and chicken under a thick spicy curry sauce.  Forget about the consequences because for an early dessert try the Banana Sticky Rice, I mean it is only $3. This warm wrap contains slices of banana, gooey vanilla flavored rice and soft black beans. Make sure to stop yourself halfway through this indulgence as it is important to remember that the leaf is not edible! If you work up a serious thirst skip the widely available bubble tea and try some of the Lemongrass Drink as it is more so cool than it is sour.

Make sure to stay for the Muay Thai demonstration included in both Saturday and Sunday’s schedules as the old-school aesthetics of the art are something to relish in.  Dating back 2,000 years, it was impressive to see how these fighters went at it even in the safest of ways with their sparring equipment. High kicks and hard elbows these guys took the crowd through all of the fundamentals. What interested me the most however was how before even going into it the fighters took a good amount of time in silence and ritual to pay respects to their teachers and those that have kept passing down the knowledge behind Muay Thai fighting. The sense of tradition is unparalleled as this fighting style continues to amaze modern audiences.

Representatives of the Thai Consulate and aides to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel were also in attendance putting a political stamp on the event and the friendship between the two cultures. Mayor Rahm wrote a meaningful letter for the event praising Thai input. Seeing the relationship come full-circle in every aspect, of which includes the political realm, made the Thai Festival that much more worth celebrating.

After today I understand why the Thai people compliment America, specifically Chicago so well. It is not so basic of an answer in that both the Thai and American flags are red,white and blue or how they look really good side by side on a cultural stage. I discovered my reasoning in how the Thai Festival is neither restricted to honoring only Thai culture. At the event, for every person holding a miniature Thai flag in one hand the stripes and stars were in the other. The festival acknowledges the heterogeneous we all find ourselves in and that is something to rejoice about.  Thai Festival ends on Friday June, 21st so there are still two more days to get in on the action.

The restaurants featured at Thai festival are spread out across the city, so if you are at all looking for some type of concentration take the CTA Red Line toward Howard and get off at the Argyle stop. Below and around the station is a neighborhood that practices the ideas which Thai Festival has explained, only every day.  Now listed under the National Register of Historic Places “New Chinatown” or “Little Vietnam” is a location of Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian spots. Everything on that street is worth a pop-in.