Lorraine and Simon Klevansky were on their usual Sunday stroll past Kapi'olani Park when they spotted a host of tents serving traditional Thai cuisine.

"We went home, took a shower and came back for some breakfast," said Simon Klevansky, 60, of Kahala.

And while food was Klevansky's main motivation for taking part in yesterday's Loy Krathong Festival at Kapi'olani Park, there was more to see and do at the annual Thai festival of lights.

"This is to bring together the Thai community and share our culture with the people," said Mickie Carriker, an organizer from Thai Buddhist Temple in Pearl City.

Members of O'ahu's Thai community stage the festival in observance of the traditional celebration held in Thailand along riverbanks, said Prakong Dodt, festival chairwoman.

"During the full moon of the 12th month, the tides in the rivers are highest," said Dodt. At that time, thousands of people gather on the banks of the rivers and float baskets of flowers with a candle inside, said Dodt.

The candle represents the wishes and prayers of the people and the basket carries them downstream, she said.

"It's a very romantic night — couples wish for a beautiful and happy life in the coming year," said Dodt.

Last night, many people re-enacted the floating of the banana leaf basket — or Loy Krathong — in the pond near the Kapi'olani Park Bandstand.

Three tents served up traditional Thai foods, many of which were prepared late Saturday night. Some of the volunteers even slept at Kapi'olani Park the night before, said Dodt.

Papaya salad, Thai chicken, pork and beef nahm, beef and chicken lahb salad, fried pad Thai and dozens of other dishes were sold to support the Thai Buddhist Temple of Hawai'i.

"Very good for the body," said Thaw Horne, a volunteer, as she served up a dish of several Thai curries.

The morning began with a Buddhist ceremony to bless the food and everyone in attendance. Then the monks were offered the first dishes of day.

"To show our respect, the monks eat and then everyone else," said Dodt.

The day was then filled with cultural displays including Thai xylophone and classical dance performances, a kick-boxing demonstration and even traditional beauty contests.

Walter Lai and his wife, Aileen, sat just beyond the bandstand eating a plate of vegetable rolls and drinking Thai iced tea.

Lai said he read about the festival in the newspaper and decided to go.

"I love these things — very multicultural," he said, adding that he has attended the Okinawan Festival, Korean Festival and many others. Lai spent five weeks in Thailand last year and said he was impressed by the people's hospitality.

"I love learning about every culture," Lai said.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.