Jeongeup-si 'Cherry Blossom Festival' Concludes Successfully... Record 250,000 Visitors

The ‘2023 Jeongeup Cherry Blossom Festival,’ Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do’s representative spring festival, successfully concluded with a record number of visitors over the four days from the 31st of last month to the 4th.

According to the city on the 5th, more than 250,000 people visited the festival site over the four days under the theme ‘Jeongeup, dyed in pink love,’ marking the highest attendance ever recorded.

Jeongeup Cherry Blossom Festival, 250,000 Visitors 'Magnificent Cherry Blossom Ending'
[Photo by Jeongeup City]

Compared to 53,000 visitors in 2018 and 110,000 in 2019, this figure more than doubled.

The large turnout helped the local economy, which had been severely contracted due to COVID-19, as nearby businesses ran out of food supplies and some were unable to sell their products.

The surge in visitors was attributed to the optimal timing of the cherry blossoms’ peak bloom coinciding with the festival period, diverse programs, active promotion through various media outlets and SNS with photos and videos, continued sunny weather during the festival, and the pent-up travel desire following COVID-19 restrictions.

At the festival opening ceremony, famous singers including trot rising stars Kim Taeyeon and Bang Seohee, as well as Moon Heeok, Jeongju, and Jo Yeonbi, performed, heating up the atmosphere at the venue.

Additionally, congratulatory performances featured Jeollabuk-do intangible cultural asset master singer Song Jaeyoung, a b-boy crew, and a tightrope walking performance by national intangible cultural asset master Kim Daegyun, captivating the audience’s eyes and ears.

Various food offerings unique to Jeongeup, along with experiences such as rice cake, tea, noodles, and alcohol tastings, and a rice cake mosaic event, provided citizens and tourists with unforgettable spring memories.

Especially popular were the cherry blossom sky hot air balloon experience offering aerial views of the splendid cherry blossoms, the ‘Cherry Blossom Racing’ bumper car experience for children, and the nostalgic 7080 retro experience, all of which thoroughly captivated visitors.

Moreover, the eup-myeon-dong Nongak (traditional farmers’ music) contest and the 27th Jeongeup Arts Festival showcased dazzling performances by local artists, while the garland path and LED landscape lighting installed along Jeongeupcheon Stream attracted many visitors.

As this was the first festival held in a long time, the city deployed public officials as safety personnel throughout the venue to maintain order and ensure safety, and nursing staff were assigned to provide medical services.

The Jeongeup Police Station cooperated with traffic control in the event area and the car-free street section and assisted with parking guidance near the festival site.

Mayor Lee Haksoo said, “Thanks to the orderly participation of citizens and tourists, the event was safely completed,” adding, “We will continue to strive to provide more attractions and enjoyable experiences so that this can remain Jeongeup’s representative spring flower festival.”

Jeongeup = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Jaegil baekok@asiae.co.kr