The Old Downtown Comes Alive... Andong-si Launches 'Vacation Festival' at Old Market and Food Street

Three-Day Festival for Revitalizing Commercial Districts Created by Merchants and Citizens Together

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A summer festival will be held in the old downtown area of Andong City, Gyeongbuk.

Andong City will hold the "Customer Appreciation Vacation Festival" for three days from the 8th to the 10th to revitalize the commercial district. The plan is to breathe new life into the Andong old downtown, which has been stagnant due to COVID-19.

Hosted by Andong City and organized by the Andong Commercial District Revitalization Promotion Team, this event will offer various contents such as entertainment and prize draws to tourists and citizens visiting the old downtown, including Andong Old Market, Namseo Shopping District, Culture Street, and Food Street.

Since being selected for the "Andong Old Downtown Commercial District Renaissance Project," a public contest by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in October last year, Andong City has formed the Commercial District Revitalization Promotion Team.

In April, approval for the five-year project was obtained from Gyeongsangbuk-do and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and after preparing detailed implementation plans for the first year, the project is progressing smoothly.

This event is the first to be held since the launch of the Commercial District Renaissance Project and was planned to provide tourists and citizens visiting Andong during the vacation season with a unique experience and enjoyment.

More than 1,000 traditional market gift certificates, over 1,000 market baskets, TVs, dry foot baths, and various other prizes have been prepared. Visitors during the event period can bring receipts from purchases made in the old downtown commercial district and receive prizes with a 100% winning chance through roulette spins or instant lottery ticket scratching.

Visitors who complete 4 out of 5 missions while moving around the Andong old downtown customer appreciation event site will also receive prizes.

Various experiential events and a flea market will be held for participants. More than 10 experience booths will operate, including bracelet making, character drawing, mask decorating, and block play.

Families can also enjoy various traditional folk programs such as rice cake pounding, jegichagi (Korean shuttlecock kicking), and yutnori (traditional board game). Additionally, hair accessories, mask straps, pet supplies, study materials, and fresh juice will be sold at the flea market, and various street performances can be enjoyed.

An Andong City official said, "Through the Commercial District Renaissance Project, we plan to provide various sights and entertainment to customers visiting the old downtown," adding, "We hope to raise citizens' interest in the Andong Commercial District Renaissance Project and the old downtown, and furthermore, to provide practical help to merchants' sales."