Brilliant Five-Colored Chrysanthemums Can Be Seen On-Site Until November 10 Even After the Festival Ends
The Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival, renowned nationwide as an autumn festival, opened with new features and concluded successfully.
Changwon City in Gyeongnam announced that the 24th Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival, which colored the downtown Masan area with chrysanthemums from October 26 to November 3 for nine days, recorded an unprecedented attendance of approximately 756,000 visitors and ended on a high note.
After the festival, the city will operate a self-guided viewing period until the 10th to allow more citizens to enjoy the beauty of chrysanthemums. Since the chrysanthemums remain in full bloom even after the festival, many visitors are expected during the self-guided viewing period. Although performances and experiential events will not be held during this period, safety management will continue.
This year’s Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival, under the theme “Chrysanthemum Love Song Called by the Sea,” showcased various chrysanthemum exhibitions and programs, receiving great acclaim. In particular, the nighttime opening provided a time of relaxation in daily life and was highly praised by many visitors.
The festival site was expanded to a 2 km area from 3·15 Haeyang Nuri Park to Happo Waterfront Park, and a chrysanthemum light wish path connecting the festival venues was created, offering a special experience for nighttime visitors. Over 230 chrysanthemum works (12 million flowers) were exhibited, including the Hwangryong Gate and a large healing forest tree.
Especially popular among visitors was the 7-meter-high rotating big tree made of 1,080 chrysanthemum pots. The 1,535-flower large multi-petal chrysanthemum piece also amazed visitors.
Additionally, considering visitor flow, booths were arranged in one direction, and the experience, exhibition, and sales zones were separated to present an organized festival site. Right-side traffic signs were placed throughout to ensure safe viewing. Reflecting last year’s feedback about the lack of resting areas, a Poyu Cafe and food zone rest areas were installed for visitors to relax, and trash bins were placed within the festival site to maintain a pleasant environment.
About 10,000 people attended the festival opening ceremony, enjoying a drone light show and congratulatory performances by singers Kim Dahyun and Kim Euiyoung. The multimedia fireworks show wishing for the success of the chrysanthemum festival attracted 30,000 visitors, leaving unforgettable autumn night memories and vitality in the city.
Newly planned programs such as the Chrysanthemum Dream Parade, Chrysanthemum Indie Music Festa, and Chrysanthemum Dance & Cheerleading Festival were held, offering fresh experiences and receiving positive reviews from visitors.
The Chrysanthemum Dream Parade took place twice, on October 27 and November 2, featuring various teams including the Navy band, Robot Land parade team, local professional sports cheering squads, and the Marine Corps, enriching the festival atmosphere.
During the festival, about 80 local businesses, including fish markets, held discount events so visitors could enjoy the flavors of Masan at affordable prices. The Changwon Dan-gam booth also added delivery services to enhance convenience.
To alleviate parking difficulties, Changwon NC Park parking lot was designated as a temporary parking area, and free shuttle buses were operated. Due to high usage, three additional buses were added during the festival, actively reflecting visitors’ opinions. Special route buses linked with other festival sites were also operated to improve visitor convenience.
Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon City, stated, “Thanks to the volunteers, related organizations, and public officials who did their best for the chrysanthemum festival, the event was safely concluded,” and added, “We also thank everyone who visited the chrysanthemum festival. We will prepare an even richer chrysanthemum festival next year.”
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