Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival Promotes Local Identity and Excellence of Punggi Ginseng, Looks Forward to Next Year
The '2024 Gyeongbuk Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival' successfully concluded, promoting the reputation of Yeongju, the home of ginseng, under clear autumn skies.
This year's festival, held over nine days from the 5th to the 13th, enjoyed uninterrupted clear weather, attracting 480,000 visitors to the festival grounds.
This marks a significant increase from last year's 320,000 visitors. As the festival celebrated its 27th edition, it is evaluated that the accumulated know-how and diverse programs catering to various groups contributed to its success.
Following last year, the festival expanded its space to include the Namwoncheon riverside in Punggi-eup and the Punggi Ginseng Cultural Popup Park, offering a ginseng marketplace, various performances, and hands-on events that provided visitors with a rich array of sights and experiences, receiving enthusiastic responses.
The festival featured unique events rarely found elsewhere, such as a traditional ritual honoring the history of Punggi Ginseng, a reenactment of the parade of Jusebung, the Punggi Ginseng Grand Festival, the National Excellent Ginseng Selection Contest, and a ginseng peeling competition, delighting tourists every day.
Notably, the introduction of real-time Punggi Ginseng sales through the Gongyeong Home Shopping mobile live commerce, 'Gongyeong Labang,' allowed visitors to purchase Punggi Ginseng not only at the festival site but also online, resulting in a complete sell-out of prepared stock.
Such initiatives not only supported local farmers by expanding sales channels but also broadened the festival's reach beyond the region through online platforms, helping to promote the excellence of Punggi Ginseng.
On-site, the 'Find the Golden Ginseng' event gave ginseng buyers a chance to win one don of pure gold every day, adding another layer of excitement. Ginseng auctions and hands-on programs such as the ginseng peeling competition, along with prize draws for purchasing customers, also proved very popular.
This festival, selected for the Korea Tourism Organization's 'Regional Festival Readiness Improvement Project,' featured a cooking class led by nutritionist Kim Minji, known for her lobster meals. Six pre-registered teams (15 participants) took part in the class, experiencing innovative ginseng dishes such as ginseng pile fried chicken and ginseng cream cookie sandwiches firsthand.
As a ginseng-themed festival, efforts were made to break away from the image of being only for health-conscious adults. Facilities such as children's air bouncers and ginseng puppet shows were introduced, creating a festival space for all ages. In particular, to celebrate its selection as an 'Honorary Cultural Tourism Festival' by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism this year, the 16th Fighter Wing of the Air Force performed a celebratory flight, delivering a special gift.
During the festival, a variety of linked events took place, including the '2024 Yeongju Museom Wooden Bridge Festival,' the Yeongju Old Downtown Night Walk 'Moonlight Reflected in Gwansagol,' the 'Yeongju Sobaek Healing Walking Competition,' the 'National Amateur Ssireum Competition,' and the 'Public Officials Marathon.' These provided a wealth of attractions and opportunities for everyone visiting Yeongju.
Thanks to the continued warm and clear weather, many visitors also flocked to local attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage sites Buseoksa Temple and Sosu Seowon, the scenic Museom Village and Gwansagol, Han Culture Theme Park Seonbisesang, and the National Forest Healing Center Dasurim.
Additionally, the festival generated significant economic benefits for local restaurants and businesses around tourist sites and the city center, revealing new possibilities for the festival as an economic driver.
Mayor Park Namseo stated, "The Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival has established itself as Korea's leading health festival where you can enjoy both the taste and culture of Yeongju. As Yeongju is a city representing Han culture, we will continue to develop diverse content and programs to create a festival enjoyed by people around the world."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
