The 18th Cheongsong Apple Festival Held from October 30 to November 3
“Cheongsong Apple’s Endless Soaring” Showcases the True Essence of Cheongsong Apples
‘Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong-gun’ has prepared a rich and diverse Cheongsong Apple Festival against the backdrop of Korea’s most beautiful and pristine nature, coinciding with the harvest season of Cheongsong apples.
The 18th Cheongsong Apple Festival will be held for 5 days from October 30 to November 3. (Last year's festival health exercise competition scene)
The 18th Cheongsong Apple Festival, under the theme ‘Cheongsong Apple’s Endless Flight,’ will open in a grand fashion on the 30th at Yongjeoncheon in Wolmak-ri, Cheongsong-eup (in front of Hyeonbi Rock) and will be held for five days until November 3.
Cheongsong-gun plans to showcase the true essence of Cheongsong apples, which have won the Korea Representative Brand Award for 12 consecutive years, in line with the festival’s theme. In addition, various forms of Cheongsong apples will be presented through processed apple products and apple-based dishes. The festival also offers experiential programs for all age groups and a nighttime landscape project utilizing the natural scenery of Yongjeoncheon Hyeonbi Rock, creating a festival venue that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
▲ Hybrid Festival Combining Online and Offline
The festival will be held as a hybrid event combining online and offline formats, reflecting the increased demand for non-face-to-face programs after the endemic phase.
The online festival, running from October 1 to November 3, features four games based on the representative experiential programs of the Cheongsong Apple Festival through the portal site Daum: Cheongsong Tour, Challenge - Apple Sorting Lotto, Fun - Apple Nanta, and Cheongsong Puzzle. This diversifies the festival format and encourages visits to the on-site festival through pre-experience. Additionally, a newly established dedicated festival website will provide various information and ongoing communication throughout the year.
▲ Significantly Strengthened Family-Centered Content to Overcome Low Birthrate
This year’s festival has greatly enhanced family-centered content. Together with Gyeongbuk Province, the ‘Festival for Happy Families’ will be held. As part of measures to overcome the low birthrate issue, various programs tailored for family visitors have been prepared. Family photo printing services, apple waffle-making experiences, and other content that families can enjoy and participate in together have been added, providing a more special experience for families visiting the festival. Through this, the Cheongsong Apple Festival aims to establish itself as an event that holds value beyond a simple festival, reminding visitors of the importance of family.
▲ Signature Program: ‘National Cheongsong Apple Flower Stringing Competition’
Following last year, the ‘Cheongsong Apple Flower Stringing Competition’ has been expanded into a national event, offering a variety of attractions. By securing the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for the competition, the festival has taken a step closer to laying the foundation for designating ‘Cheongsong Apple Flower Stringing’ as a cultural heritage.
▲ Operation of the 18th Cheongsong Apple Festival Promotion Hall
A 210-pyeong (approximately 693 square meters) promotion hall exhibiting Cheongsong apples, apple dishes, and processed apple products has been established. It displays past Apple Kings’ portrait boards and this year’s Golden Jin and Apple King award-winning works. Through the installation of smart cultivation facilities, it promotes the history of Cheongsong apples, advanced apple cultivation technologies, and the natural environment optimal for apple cultivation simultaneously.
Along with promotion, to stimulate apple consumption, apple dishes developed by the Cheongsong-gun Local Food Research Association are exhibited, and 6 to 8 types of dishes and desserts using Cheongsong apples and local specialties, such as apple bulgogi and apple pudding, are available for tasting and sale.
Especially this year, a special Apple Zone has been created, offering tasting and sales of apple carbonated juice, apple vinegar, apple face masks, apple goods, and snacks made from apples, pursuing diversity and variety in the apple festival.
▲ Programs Enjoyable for All Ages
This year’s festival includes experiential programs that all ages can participate in, such as the festival’s killer contents: Challenge - Apple Sorting Lotto, Fun - Apple Nanta, and Find the Golden Apple of Universal Gravitation. The ‘Cheongsong Apple Parade,’ where residents of eight towns and townships and tourists breathe together, provides an opportunity for both citizens and visitors to unite.
Additionally, various events such as the 27th Cheongsong Cultural Festival, Senior Festival, Health Gymnastics Competition, and Know Your Hometown Cheongsong Quiz Contest are prepared during the festival period.
Small performance programs include three types of Apple Olympics, Cheongsong Golden Bell, and talent donation performances by Cheongsong residents. Special events such as demonstrations of arresting offenders violating origin labeling, the 3rd Cheongsong Golden Apple Cup National High School Ssireum Championship, and the 23rd Gyeongbuk Governor’s Cup Amateur Bodybuilding Competition are held. Permanent events such as tasting and sales of apples, apple juice, and apple rice cakes, as well as free tea tasting, are also available, offering visitors to the Cheongsong Apple Festival a variety of sights, entertainment, and differentiated experiences.
▲ Enhanced Convenience Facilities at Festival Site and Parking Lots to Improve Visitor Comfort
This year, convenience facilities at the festival site have been greatly improved. Addressing the shortage of restrooms and parking facilities due to the large number of visitors last year, portable toilets have been installed and parking lots expanded to enhance visitor convenience. Furthermore, the booth evaluation system, implemented last year, will continue this year to improve booth operation quality and increase customer satisfaction.
Governor Yoon Kyung-hee stated, “This year’s Cheongsong Apple Festival has pursued innovative changes and development in many aspects compared to last year. We have expanded online programs, strengthened family-centered content, and significantly improved convenience facilities so that visitors can enjoy the festival without discomfort.” She added, “We ask for your interest and visits so that the Cheongsong Apple Festival can establish itself as a global festival beyond Korea.”
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