Significant Effects of Economic Revitalization
The 18th Cheongsong Apple Festival, which attracted a huge crowd of local residents and tourists, came to a grand conclusion on November 3.
Held over five days from October 30 to November 3 at the Hyeonbiam area along Yongjeoncheon in Cheongsong-eup, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk, the 18th Cheongsong Apple Festival was successfully wrapped up with the footsteps of 460,000 visitors like a sea of clouds.
As the festival site was flooded with crowds, the festival naturally became lively, and various experience and promotional booths, apple sales booths, and restaurants were bustling with customers, greatly contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.
Under the theme of “Cheongsong Apple’s Endless Soaring,” this year’s Cheongsong Apple Festival also held an online festival without the constraints of time and space, setting a record of over 1 million visitors and achieving remarkable success in the online festival as well.
In addition, family-centered content was significantly strengthened, attracting continuous visits from family tourists. Together with Gyeongbuk Province, the festival held a “Festival of Happiness for Families,” adding content that families could enjoy and participate in together, such as family photo printing services and apple waffle-making experiences, thereby drawing family tourists.
One of the representative programs of the Cheongsong Apple Festival, the “National Cheongsong Apple Flower Garland Weaving Contest,” featured 12 teams in total?8 teams from Cheongsong-gun and 4 teams from across the country?providing differentiated attractions. Through the Cheongsong Apple Parade and the Pungmul (traditional Korean percussion music) contest, residents from the 8 towns and townships became the owners of the festival and harmonized with tourists, properly showcasing the festival’s nature as a community-participation event.
Yoon Kyung-hee, County Governor, participating in the Cheongsong Apple Festival parade (second from the left in the front row).
Also, over five days at the main stage and small performance venues, talent donation performances by Cheongsong residents were held, along with various linked events such as the Cheongsong Golden Apple Pear National High School Ssirum (Korean wrestling) Championship, the Know Your Hometown Cheongsong Quiz Contest, and the Cheongsong Nakdong Jeongmaek Hiking Competition, creating a festival that everyone, regardless of age or gender, could enjoy.
This year, a special “Apple Zone” was created to promote apple consumption, where apple carbonated juice, apple vinegar, apple mask packs, Cheongsong apple goods, and snacks made with apples were sampled and sold. Additionally, 6 to 8 types of dishes and desserts using Cheongsong apples and local specialties, such as apple bulgogi and apple pudding, were also sampled and sold, showcasing the diverse aspects of Cheongsong apples.
Above all, this year’s Cheongsong Apple Festival expanded parking lots and restrooms, which had been insufficient compared to the increased number of tourists last year, and operated a reporting center to eradicate overcharging and unfair commercial practices, promptly addressing inconveniences within the festival site. Despite unexpected rain, all public officials, including Yoon Kyung-hee, the governor of Cheongsong-gun, actively participated in maintaining the festival site, earning high praise from many visitors as a festival representative of Korea.
Governor Yoon Kyung-hee said, “This year’s Cheongsong Apple Festival has achieved innovative changes and developments in many aspects compared to last year,” and added, “Encouraged by the praise from many tourists, we will continue to make relentless efforts and do our best to make the Cheongsong Apple Festival a festival that can provide diverse and differentiated experiences.” She also expressed her gratitude to the many people who visited the Cheongsong Apple Festival.
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