April 4th, 10 AM to 6 PM, held on a 555m section from Lotte Department Store to Sunbogeum Church... Various events for carbon neutrality with a 'Car-Free Street', full of fun activities
Nowon District, Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced on the 4th that it will hold the "1st Nowon Car-Free Street Festival" around Nowon Station.
On the day of the event, the district will designate the area around Nowon Station on Nohae-ro (a 555m section from Lotte Department Store to Full Gospel Church) as a "car-free street" and prepare the "Car-Free Street Festival" aiming to encourage resident participation and raise awareness for achieving carbon neutrality.
In particular, this festival will not only focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on disposable products but will also challenge carbon neutrality by calculating the total greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the event?the first among Seoul's autonomous districts?and offsetting the actual emissions. Next year, the district plans to offset the emissions by planting trees with residents on Arbor Day.
Additionally, the day is designated as "Personal Cup Use Day," promoting a campaign to carry personal cups. Residents who bring their own cups will be offered free beverages (coffee, iced tea, orange juice) for up to 4,000 cups.
The event consists of six zones including the main stage, Carbon Neutrality Theme Zone, Nodaji Market Zone, Bicycle Experience Zone, Local Green Market Zone, Book Rest Zone, and Lifelong Learning Festival Zone, creating spaces where the whole family from children to adults can enjoy together.
First, at the main stage from 12:30 PM, about 100 residents will lead the proclamation of the "Carbon Neutrality Resident Declaration," pledging to practice carbon neutrality. All participants will perform a carbon action performance using recycled props and march around the event site to raise awareness of the climate crisis among residents, the main agents of carbon neutrality.
Following this, a "Random Play Dance" will be held to K-pop music, with 10 teams participating and showcasing all-genre dance performances, providing various attractions.
At the Carbon Neutrality Theme Zone, visitors can directly experience carbon neutrality through four themed halls (Building, Transportation, Play, Resource Circulation). Energy-saving policies that can be practiced at home and in businesses will be introduced, and eco-friendly transportation such as electric cars, hydrogen cars, and electric motorcycles can be test-driven. Carbon neutrality can also be practiced through play activities such as power-free tree play, concrete chalk playground, and climbing using recycled materials.
The Nodaji Market Zone will operate a flea market with a total of 400 teams (200 teams in the morning and 200 in the afternoon) selling secondhand goods. This aims to enhance the spirit of reuse and resource circulation in residents' daily lives. A "Resource Circulation Booth" will also be operated to collect reusable items and gather bottle caps, chargers, earphones, umbrellas, etc. Additionally, bringing 10 used batteries can be exchanged for one new battery, and for every 1kg of paper packs, one roll of toilet paper can be exchanged.
At 11 AM and 2 PM, BMX (stunt bicycle) performances will be held at the Bicycle Experience Zone, which is also a highlight. Visitors can try 12 unique bicycles including safety unicycles and group Ganggangsullae bicycles. Through "Making Cotton Candy and Soap Bubbles with Bicycle Generators," participants can learn about renewable energy. There will also be a flea market for bicycle goods, a recycled bicycle sales shop, and a free bicycle maintenance center (first 50 people on-site).
The Local Green Market Zone will sell social economy value products produced by local social economy enterprises, small business owners, and village craft artists, including upcycled products reborn with new designs and uses. Visitors can experience upcycling using leather, coffee grounds, sock yarn, denim, and enjoy vegan food and eco-friendly handmade crafts.
The Book Rest Zone will operate with children's picture books, big books, pop-up books, and environment-themed books available. It is furnished with comfortable outdoor furniture such as beanbags and Indian tents for visitors to rest. Visitors can experience a futuristic library with AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) reading experiences and digital library activities, and find all the "One Book for Residents" selected books from 2014 to the present in one place. Sculptures made from discarded books are another attraction.
The Lifelong Learning Festival Zone is a place where lifelong education institution students exhibit, present, and demonstrate the skills they have honed. Thirty-one institutions including universities, lifelong education centers, and neighborhood learning centers participate, offering various experiences and exhibitions such as drones, Korean archery, casino games, nail art, herbal flower tea, lunchbox cakes, and tarot. Visitors can also enjoy performances by students playing ocarina, classical guitar, one-person two-role mask dance, and professional bands.
Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon District, said, "The 'Car-Free Street Festival,' planned for the first time this year, is a festival practicing carbon neutrality," adding, "We have prepared various enjoyable activities, so I hope everyone comes out to the event, participates in small actions to save the Earth, and fully heals."
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