Jangheung Water Festival Opens as a Younger and More Global Event

Over 15,000 Participants in Salsudaechup Street Parade

Foreign Tourists and Songkran Festival Performers Join to Present a Global Festival

County Governor Kim Seong: "Come to the Water Festival for an Affordable Vacation and Enjoyable Experiences"

The 17th Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival, held along the Tamjin River and the Cypress Forest Woodland in Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, began its nine-day schedule on the 27th with the Salsudaecheop Street Parade and will continue until the 4th of next month.

Under the slogan "ALL 水 Good - Exciting Jangheung Water Festival," this year's festival has been prepared to be a younger and more global event, also aiming to establish the identity of "Jangheung Water," which embodies health, healing, rest, and enjoyment.

On the 27th, the Salsudaechup Street Parade, marking the start of the Water Festival, is taking place.
[Photo by Jangheung-gun]

The festival's opening on the 27th featured the Salsudaecheop Street Parade. The parade procession, starting from the Jangheung County Citizens' Hall, passed through the central street of Jangheung-eup, intensifying the excitement of the water fight.

More than 15,000 people, including tourists and local residents, participated in the parade, boasting a record-breaking scale. The number of foreign tourists noticeably increased that day, strengthening the water festival's challenge toward globalization.

This year's Salsudaecheop Parade was held under the theme "Jangheung: Water of Healing, Water of Health, Water of Longevity to Overcome Global Warming." The performance depicted the adventure of the water festival character Onbi and the Onbi Rangers confronting the fire goddess who destroys the Earth's environment.

More than 15,000 tourists are participating in the Battle of Salsu street parade, engaging in an unprecedented water fight.
[Photo by Jangheung-gun]

In the middle of the parade route, a water fight took place using color powder symbolizing fine dust and polluted water being purified into Jangheung's water. The parade's fiery enthusiasm continued at the Tamjin River Water Festival site, culminating in the largest water fight on land.

The opening ceremony performances included traditional Korean performances by Jangheung sorikkun (traditional singers) and dancers expressing water, followed by a stage performance by the Thai Songkran Festival troupe, capturing the audience's attention.

The opening ceremony performance of the Jangheung Water Festival is taking place.
[Photo by Jangheung-gun]

The performance combining the waters of Jangheung's Tamjin River and Thailand's Songkran Festival, along with visuals of the merged water soaring as light, was praised for well expressing the future of the water festival expanding globally.

County Governor Kim Sung said, "When you come to the Jangheung Water Festival, you can create joyful memories and exciting experiences while enjoying an economical vacation," adding, "I hope everyone blows away the heat and stress all at once at the Jangheung Water Festival, which runs until August 4th."

Meanwhile, from the morning of the day, many crowds visited the water festival site to enjoy the festival programs. Most programs, such as the permanent water playground, Catch the Golden Fish, water bicycles, and wooden boats, are popular as they can be experienced at affordable fees.